TMC approaches EC over “irregular postal ballot sorting” at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra

The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has filed an official complaint against a Returning Officer at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, alleging unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers inside a designated EVM strongroom. The complaint comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of vote counting scheduled for May 4, with the party raising concerns over the integrity of stored electoral materials.

The development follows a sit-in protest by the party a day earlier, where it alleged irregular access to the strongroom. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AITC have claimed that the facility was opened without proper authorisation. The BJP had earlier lodged a similar complaint with the Bidhannagar Subdivisional Officer, triggering an inquiry that has led to the suspension of at least six officials.

Meanwhile, repolling was conducted in 15 polling stations across Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies in South 24 Parganas under heavy security deployment. The Election Commission ordered fresh voting following reported irregularities during phase two, which recorded a high turnout of 92.67 per cent. Security forces, including RAF personnel, were deployed to ensure smooth polling as political parties continued to raise allegations over voting disruptions in certain booths.