Amid escalating tensions during the West Bengal Assembly election counting, CPI(M) leader Gargi Chatterjee has demanded re-polling in the Noapara constituency after alleged recovery of VVPAT slips raised fresh concerns over the integrity of the voting process.
Chatterjee claimed that Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips were found outside designated secure areas, calling it a serious breach of election protocol. She urged the Election Commission of India to take immediate action, including ordering a re-poll in the affected booths to ensure fairness and transparency.
“This is a grave matter. If VVPAT slips are being found outside, it raises questions about how they were handled. We demand a full probe and re-polling wherever necessary,” she said, adding that the incident has shaken voter confidence.
The allegations come at a time when counting is underway across the state and political tensions remain high. Opposition parties have increasingly raised concerns over EVM and VVPAT handling, while election officials have repeatedly maintained that strict protocols are in place.
Sources in the administration said the matter has been taken seriously and a preliminary inquiry has been initiated. Officials are examining whether the slips in question were genuine polling material or discarded samples used for demonstration or training purposes.
Election authorities reiterated that VVPAT slips are kept under tight security and are only accessed under specific conditions during counting, typically for random verification in selected polling stations. Any deviation from these procedures, they said, would be thoroughly investigated.
Meanwhile, leaders from other political parties have also reacted to the development, with some echoing concerns and others urging restraint until facts are verified. The Election Commission of India has not yet announced any decision on the demand for re-polling.
Political observers note that such allegations often surface in closely contested elections, especially in high-stakes constituencies like Noapara. However, they stress that conclusive evidence and official findings will be crucial before any drastic step like re-polling is considered.
As counting progresses, the controversy has added another layer of uncertainty, with all eyes now on the Election Commission’s response and the outcome of the inquiry.
