The Trinamool Congress on Saturday filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India against the Returning Officer of Khudiram Anushilan Kendra counting centre, alleging unauthorised sorting of postal ballot papers in violation of election rules. The party claimed that on April 30, postal ballot covers were handled inside the strongroom without the presence of candidates, agents, or party representatives, and without prior notice. Citing CCTV footage as evidence, Trinamool argued that the conduct breached ECI Handbook provisions and violated secrecy and transparency norms under the Representation of the People Act. Beleghata candidate Kunal Ghosh and Shyampukur candidate Shashi Panja staged a dharna outside the centre, protesting against the alleged irregularities. The party demanded an urgent enquiry, cessation of unauthorised handling, access to CCTV feeds, and verification of postal ballot procedures across affected constituencies.
The complaint comes amid heightened tensions, with Trinamool alleging similar irregularities at other counting centres statewide. A scuffle broke out last Thursday between Trinamool and BJP workers outside Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, as suspicions over strongroom activities grew. Meanwhile, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee visited the strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial Govt. Girls’ High School, where EVMs for her Bhabanipur constituency are stored, spending nearly four hours before instructing party candidates to maintain vigilant night watches at counting centres across West Bengal. The party insists that transparency and fairness are being compromised, framing the issue as a systemic challenge to the integrity of the electoral process.