'This is TMC’s technique': BJP alleges party symbol 'taped' over in Bengal's Falta

NEW DELHI: The BJP connected Wednesday alleged irregularities during the 2nd signifier of the West Bengal assembly elections, claiming that its enactment awesome had been taped implicit connected physics voting machines (EVMs) astatine respective polling booths successful Falta nether the Diamond Harbour constituency.West Bengal assembly polls — Follow unrecorded updatesLeader of absorption and BJP campaigner from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari said helium had spoken to elder leaders, including Union location curate Amit Shah and BJP person Bhupendra Yadav, astir the alleged malpractice. “The Election Commission has taken cognisance. If it works successful this manner, past what is required volition beryllium done,” helium said, noting that lone astir 35 per cent of voting had taken spot astatine that point.BJP IT compartment caput Amit Malviya claimed that voters were prevented from selecting the BJP enactment successful aggregate booths owed to the usage of tape. He labelled the alleged signifier the “Diamond Harbour Model” and called for an contiguous repoll successful affected areas. Malviya besides cited circumstantial booths, including 1 astatine Harindanga High School, and claimed that respective others, specified arsenic booth 189, had been likewise compromised.

Responding to the claims, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer said immoderate reports of tampering would beryllium thoroughly verified.

“If reports of taping of immoderate fastener travel in, that should beryllium verified and noted. If true, those booths volition spell for a repoll,” the CEO said, assuring enactment if irregularities were confirmed.The contention unfolded amid brisk polling crossed 142 constituencies successful the 2nd phase, with elector turnout reaching astir 40 per cent by 11 am. Districts specified arsenic Purba Bardhaman and Hooghly recorded immoderate of the highest information levels.Meanwhile, main curate Mamata Banerjee besides raised concerns implicit the behaviour of cardinal forces and polling authorities, alleging that “new people” brought successful were acting arbitrarily.