NewKerala.com

West Bengal Poll Observer Assures No Vote Theft Amid Tight Security

West Bengal Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta assured that vote counting preparations are complete with no possibility of vote theft. Security has been heightened outside strongrooms in Kolkata, including Sakhawat Memorial School and Netaji Indoor Stadium. The Election Commission has ordered repolling in all 285 polling stations of the Falta assembly seat on May 21 due to electoral offenses. Repolling in 15 booths in South 24 Paraganas saw 90% voter turnout amid reports of EVM tampering and intimidation.

Key Points: West Bengal Poll Observer: No Vote Theft, Security Complete

  • Special observer assures no vote theft
  • Security heightened outside strongrooms in Kolkata
  • Repolling ordered in Falta assembly seat on May 21
  • 90% voter turnout in repolling in South 24 Paraganas
2 min read

"No possibility of vote theft": West Bengal Special Electoral Roll Observer assures proper security for vote counting

West Bengal Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta assures no vote theft during counting, with central and state employees trained and security heightened.

"There is no possibility of vote theft. There will be no irregularities in the counting of votes. - Subrata Gupta"

Kolkata, May 3

West Bengal Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta on Sunday assured that the preparation for the vote counting of the assembly elections is going well, adding that security arrangements have been completed, leaving "no possibility of vote theft."

Speaking with the media, he emphasised that all those involved in the counting process have been trained well and that some state government employees will be present along with central government employees.

"We are fully prepared. There is no possibility of vote theft. There will be no irregularities in the counting of votes. Security arrangements are complete. Everyone has been trained for the counting. There will be central government employees, and some state government employees as well," he affirmed.

Ahead of the result day of the West Bengal assembly elections, security was heightened outside several strongrooms in Kolkata.

Heavy force was deployed outside the strongrooms in Kolkata, which included Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' High School in Bhabanipur, Netaji Indoor Stadium, and several others.

Apart from managing the security of strongrooms, the security was also increased outside the Chief Electoral Officer's office and the Falta assembly constituency, where locals protested alleged threats and beatings by TMC leaders on Saturday.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed repolling in all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations, in the Falta assembly seat between 7 AM and 6 PM on May 21. Counting of votes will take place on May 24.

According to Election Commission, directives for fresh repolling have been given in Falta "on consideration of severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during the polling in a large number of polling stations on April 29".

Meanwhile, the repolling across the 15 polling booths in the South 24 Paraganas district concluded with a voter turnout of 90%. The repolling was mandated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) following reports of electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering and voter intimidation during the second phase of polling.

Polling across 294 constituencies in West Bengal was held on April 23 and 29, respectively, with counting set to take place on May 4.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Siddharth J
Having both central and state government employees together for counting is a smart move. It creates a system of checks and balances. The 90% voter turnout in the repolling in South 24 Paraganas shows people still have faith in the democratic process despite the earlier disruptions.
P
Priya S
Security outside strongrooms is one thing, but the real test will be the counting process itself. We need strict monitoring by all parties' representatives. Remember 2021 allegations? Let's hope this time it's truly transparent. The people of Bengal deserve a fair result. 🙏
V
Vikram M
Good to see the Election Commission taking strong action in Falta. Repolling in 285 polling stations is unprecedented and sends a clear message that electoral offences won't be tolerated. But we need similar vigilance in all constituencies, not just where protests happen.
K
Kavya N
While I appreciate the assurance, the fact that we needed repolling in Falta and 15 booths in South 24 Paraganas shows the system isn't foolproof. The observer says 'no possibility' but we've seen how things can go wrong. Let's hope for the best but remain vigilant. 🤔
A
Aman W
The heavy deployment outside strongrooms is reassuring. But the real issue is the political violence that marred the campaign. We need long-term solutions beyond just counting day security. Every party must commit to peaceful elections. #FairElectionsBengal

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50