KOLKATA — In a severe subversion of the democratic process, alarming new reports from West Bengal’s recent elections have brought extreme voter manipulation tactics to light. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has flagged shocking instances of electoral malpractice, ranging from physically blocking options on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to the bizarre use of scents to track voter behavior.
Following widespread complaints during the second phase of voting, the ECI has ordered a repoll at 15 booths in the South 24 Parganas district, alongside a rare mandate for “fresh polling” across the entire Falta constituency scheduled for May 21.
Taped Symbols and Smeared Scents
The controversy reached a boiling point when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally alleged that their party symbol on the EVMs had been deliberately covered with white or black tape at several polling stations. This brazen tactic was allegedly used to physically prevent voters from selecting the party’s option on the ballot.
Furthermore, official repoll reports highlighted an incredibly unusual and disturbing tactic: scents were reportedly smeared on specific EVM buttons. This was allegedly used as a mechanism to identify or track the choices of unsuspecting voters after they cast their ballots, completely compromising the secrecy of the vote.
Booth Capturing and Coercion
Beyond the manipulation of the voting machines themselves, the ECI’s findings paint a grim picture of ground-level voter intimidation. The report confirmed allegations of widespread booth-capturing, where polling stations were forcefully taken over by political operatives.
Genuine voters were subjected to severe coercion, threats, and intimidation tactics, with many completely prevented from exercising their democratic rights. Clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP supporters further escalated the tension in the affected regions.
Election Commission Mandates “Zero Tolerance”
Declaring a “zero tolerance” policy toward any form of EVM tampering or voter suppression, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer stated that strict action is being taken. Following thorough verifications by district magistrates and election observers, the poll body confirmed the severe electoral offenses and stepped in to ensure the integrity of the elections.
While repolling at the 15 specific booths in South 24 Parganas proceeded under heavily fortified security, the complete repoll in Falta on May 21 will serve as a massive logistical test for the central forces. The final counting of the votes for the affected constituencies has been scheduled for May 24.
As authorities deploy hundreds of paramilitary companies to prevent post-poll violence, the nation’s eyes remain fixed on West Bengal, waiting to see how these shocking democratic breaches will impact the final mandate.
