Mamata Banerjee Raises Alarm on EVM Tampering, Urges Vigilance
Synopsis
In a recent rally, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alerted party workers about potential tampering with EVMs and condemned the chaos during a BJP roadshow in Bhabanipur, calling for heightened vigilance and integrity in the electoral process.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee warns against EVM tampering.
Calls for vigilance among party workers.
Alleges chaos during BJP roadshow in Bhabanipur .
Accuses Election Commission of disrupting administrative functions.
Highlights the importance of protecting voter integrity.
Kolkata, April 5 (NationPress) West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, issued a stern warning to her party members on Sunday regarding the potential tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs). She urged them to remain vigilant in safeguarding these machines.
Speaking at an election rally in Jiaganj, located in the Murshidabad district, CM Banerjee stated: “If an EVM is compromised, you must be patient. Ensure that these machines are not reused for voting after repairs. They could secretly implant a chip under the guise of fixing it. There's no limit to what they might do. Once voting concludes and the EVMs are secured, protect these machines at all costs.”
Additionally, CM Banerjee addressed the tumult that erupted during a BJP roadshow in her Bhabanipur constituency the previous week, which saw the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
She alleged that individuals from outside were brought in for the roadshow, commenting, “There was an assault right outside my residence in Bhabanipur. They were defacing my posters. Shoes were directed at Abhishek’s home. Local residents protested against this. This is not the essence of politics. They even recruited outsiders to submit their nominations.”
The chaotic roadshow in Kolkata saw Trinamool Congress supporters displaying black flags and shoes towards BJP leaders as the procession passed near Banerjee’s home.
A scuffle erupted between the two parties' supporters.
The Union Home Minister had to abandon the makeshift ‘rath’ and switch to a vehicle to reach the Survey Building in Alipore, where BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari submitted his nomination papers. Following the incident, the Election Commission suspended four police officers in the Bhabanipur region.
Furthermore, she accused the Election Commission of removing around 500 officers in a way that could hinder administrative operations in the state.
Banerjee also cautioned that removing names from voter lists is a form of voter intimidation. “This time, we will allocate a separate budget for farmers... 500 officers have been dismissed from here to stall Bengal’s progress. You might delay operations for a month, but once the elections are concluded, all work will resume. If you strike off someone’s name, it is an intimidation tactic,” she asserted.
Point of View
The concerns raised by CM Mamata Banerjee regarding EVM tampering highlight a broader discourse on electoral integrity. Her call for vigilance reflects apprehensions prevalent among political leaders as elections approach, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democracy and fair electoral practices.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mamata Banerjee warn about regarding EVMs?
Mamata Banerjee warned her party members about potential tampering of electronic voting machines and urged them to guard these machines vigilantly.
What incident did Banerjee address during the rally?
She addressed the chaos that occurred during a BJP roadshow in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that outsiders were brought in and local protests ensued.
What actions did Banerjee claim the Election Commission took?
Banerjee claimed the Election Commission removed around 500 officers, which she argued could disrupt administrative work in West Bengal.
