ECI rejects Trinamool Congress claim of VVPAT slips found in West Bengal, clarifying they were from mock polls. Officials launch inquiry as high-stakes vote counting begins after record turnout in Assembly elections.
Questions over alleged abandoned voting slips in West Bengal have triggered a sharp response from authorities, with officials clarifying that the materials in question were not linked to actual polling but to a routine pre-poll procedure.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday dismissed claims made by the Trinamool Congress regarding VVPAT paper slips reportedly found on the streets of North 24 Parganas district. The allegation, which surfaced earlier in the day, centered around a video purportedly showing discarded slips near a petrol pump in Madhyamgram.
According to the complaint submitted to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal, the party raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and sought immediate clarification. The video attached to the complaint quickly circulated, prompting questions about whether the slips were connected to votes cast during polling in the Noyapara Assembly constituency.
However, the district administration moved swiftly to counter the claims. The District Magistrate, who also serves as the District Electoral Officer of North 24 Parganas, issued an official statement rejecting the allegation after a preliminary inquiry. The statement clarified that the slips shown in the video were not generated during the actual voting process.
Officials explained that the slips were part of a mock poll exercise conducted before polling begins. This process is a mandatory step carried out at every polling station to demonstrate to party agents and observers that the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system are functioning correctly. During this exercise, test votes are cast, and corresponding slips are generated to verify accuracy.
“Upon examination, it has been found that the VVPAT paper slips shown are related to the mock poll conducted before poll day and are not related to the actual poll conducted on poll day,” the District Magistrate stated. The administration further added that a detailed inquiry has been initiated to trace how the slips appeared in a public location, and a formal complaint has been lodged for verification and necessary action.
The clarification comes at a sensitive time, as the district was part of the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections held on April 29. All Assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas, including Noyapara, participated in this phase.
Election officials emphasized that strict protocols are in place to handle VVPAT slips generated during actual voting. These slips are securely stored within sealed units and are not accessible during or after polling unless required under specific counting or verification procedures. The presence of mock poll slips outside controlled environments, while concerning, does not indicate a breach in the integrity of votes cast during the election.
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Meanwhile, political tensions remain high as stakeholders await the outcome of the elections. The counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, with initial trends expected to emerge by midday. The two-phase polling process, conducted on April 23 and April 29, recorded an impressive voter turnout of nearly 93 percent, reflecting strong public participation.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring transparency and credibility in the electoral process. The ECI has urged political parties and the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed claims that could undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
