Kolkata, March 1: Leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) initiated a door-to-door voter verification campaign on Saturday across West Bengal, citing allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is manipulating electoral rolls ahead of next year’s crucial assembly elections.
In south Kolkata's Chetla locality, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim personally led the voter verification drive. Hakim alleged that the BJP is actively attempting to introduce "fake voters" from other states into West Bengal's voter lists.
At a recent TMC state conference, Chief Minister Banerjee explicitly charged the BJP with manipulating electoral rolls with alleged support from the Election Commission (EC). She cited similar incidents previously reported in elections held in Delhi and Maharashtra.
Banerjee warned that the TMC would intensify protests if corrective measures were not promptly taken by electoral authorities. She specifically indicated plans to hold a sit-in protest (dharna) in front of the Election Commission's office, if necessary.
The voter verification drive by TMC is set to continue in various constituencies across West Bengal in preparation for the forthcoming assembly elections, marking another flashpoint in the intensifying political battle between TMC and BJP.
In south Kolkata's Chetla locality, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim personally led the voter verification drive. Hakim alleged that the BJP is actively attempting to introduce "fake voters" from other states into West Bengal's voter lists.
Parallel to this, local TMC leaders undertook similar verification exercises in Bhabanipur, the home constituency of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee, who also serves as the TMC chief, instructed party workers to extend the scrutiny process across multiple constituencies."The BJP is trying to manipulate the electoral rolls by bringing in fake voters from other states. So, along with our party workers, we are on a door-to-door visit to verify the voter list," Hakim stated during his interaction with the media.
Ghost Voters Allegation Raises Concerns
TMC has accused BJP of orchestrating voter registration irregularities by claiming several individuals from other states were found holding Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) identical to those of genuine West Bengal voters. Banerjee labeled these suspicious entries as "ghost voters."At a recent TMC state conference, Chief Minister Banerjee explicitly charged the BJP with manipulating electoral rolls with alleged support from the Election Commission (EC). She cited similar incidents previously reported in elections held in Delhi and Maharashtra.
Banerjee warned that the TMC would intensify protests if corrective measures were not promptly taken by electoral authorities. She specifically indicated plans to hold a sit-in protest (dharna) in front of the Election Commission's office, if necessary.
Election Authorities Respond
Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) of West Bengal clarified that updates to electoral rolls are conducted transparently by designated officials, assisted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) appointed by respective political parties. The BJP has denied all accusations of voter list manipulation made by TMC.The voter verification drive by TMC is set to continue in various constituencies across West Bengal in preparation for the forthcoming assembly elections, marking another flashpoint in the intensifying political battle between TMC and BJP.
