Dateline: New Delhi,April 30,2026
In a sharp rebuttal to allegations raised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Election Commission of India (EC) has dismissed claims of ballot tampering during the ongoing electoral process, calling them “baseless and misleading.” The poll body on Thursday released a detailed 9-point clarification aimed at addressing concerns and reinforcing confidence in the voting system.
The controversy erupted after senior TMC leaders alleged irregularities in ballot handling and demanded immediate intervention. However, the EC maintained that India’s electoral process remains robust, transparent, and tamper-proof. Officials emphasized that strict protocols are followed at every stage—from polling to counting—to prevent any manipulation.
In its first point, the EC clarified that all voting, whether through EVMs or paper ballots (where applicable), is conducted under multi-layered security arrangements, including CCTV surveillance and the presence of polling agents from all contesting parties. It stated that any claim of unauthorized access is “factually incorrect.”
Secondly, the Commission highlighted that mock polls are conducted in the presence of party representatives before voting begins, ensuring that machines function accurately. It also reiterated that VVPAT slips provide an additional verification layer, allowing voters to confirm their choices instantly.
Addressing concerns over ballot storage, the EC explained that strong rooms are sealed in the presence of candidates’ agents and guarded round-the-clock by central forces. The Commission noted that candidates or their representatives are allowed to monitor these strong rooms continuously, eliminating the possibility of tampering.
The remaining points focused on procedural transparency, including randomization of polling staff, strict chain-of-custody rules, real-time tracking systems, and grievance redressal mechanisms. The EC urged political parties to avoid spreading misinformation, warning that such claims could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, where the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are locked in a fierce electoral battle. With voting underway in multiple phases, the EC’s clarification is seen as a crucial step to counter narratives questioning the integrity of the electoral process.
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