Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress, has intensified her criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding the preservation of CCTV footage from every constituency during the West Bengal elections. In a recent press conference held on October 1, she claimed that electronic voting machines (EVMs) had been hacked, asserting that her party experienced significant electoral misconduct that contributed to their loss.

Banerjee stated that her party was leading by 53,000 votes when incidents of violence and intimidation began. She alleged that Central Reserve Police Force personnel blocked party agents from entering polling centres, while also reportedly assaulting them. According to her, the CCTV cameras were tampered with at various locations, raising questions about the transparency of the electoral process.

Allegations Against Chief Election Commissioner and Election Process

The TMC chief articulated her concerns regarding Gyanesh Kumar’s role, accusing him of depriving citizens of their electoral rights. She expressed deep dissatisfaction, claiming that the election commission had centralised the counting and EVM management, which compromised the authenticity of the election results. “We approached the Supreme Court but did not receive any justice,” she said, highlighting her party’s ongoing struggle for accountability.

Banerjee further referred to the SIR process in West Bengal, criticising its design and alleged that it was intended to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party. She also expressed frustration over the treatment her party received from the Election Commission, indicating a lack of respect for their grievances. “We brought 100 victims to the commission, and this was their response,” she remarked.

Additionally, Banerjee raised concerns about a fire incident at a government building in Kolkata’s Alipore that occurred in June, where EVMs were destroyed. The Kolkata Police have established a Special Investigation Team to investigate the matter. Banerjee linked this incident with her apprehensions surrounding the integrity of the election process.

Concerns Over Security Forces and Electoral Integrity

Banerjee expressed indignation over what she termed a “mockery of democracy,” condemning the manner in which the electoral process was handled. She claimed that the SIR process adversely affected many citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote, questioning the fairness of the electoral roll management.

This press conference followed a recent meeting of the INDIA coalition, during which strong calls for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation were made. The coalition’s collective demand underscores the mounting pressure on the Election Commission regarding the recent electoral irregularities observed in West Bengal.

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