The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has launched an all-out attack on the Election Commission (EC), alleging that the 2024 elections in West Bengal were marred by “unprecedented electoral fraud.” TMC leaders have gone so far as to accuse the Election Commission of complicity in the fraud, accusing the EC of turning a blind eye to several key incidents of voter manipulation and electoral malpractice during the polling process.

TMC’s primary allegations center on widespread voter suppression in areas where the party traditionally enjoys significant support. The party has claimed that thousands of eligible voters were either removed from the electoral rolls or faced unnecessary hurdles when attempting to cast their ballots. Reports from party workers suggest that in some areas, voters were denied entry to polling booths, and in other cases, voters were intimidated or coerced into voting a particular way.

The TMC has also highlighted concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), alleging that the machines were tampered with to favor rival political parties, particularly the BJP. They claim that discrepancies between exit polls and actual vote tallies are evidence of deliberate manipulation of the EVMs. TMC leaders have called for an immediate audit of the machines used in the election to determine whether they were compromised.

Accusations have also been made against the Election Commission for its failure to respond to the TMC’s complaints. The TMC alleges that the Commission ignored repeated requests for intervention, leaving voters vulnerable to intimidation and fraud. The party has also accused the EC of failing to act on reports from independent observers who documented suspicious activities at polling stations across the state.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Election Commission has firmly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all election procedures were carried out according to the law. The Commission maintained that it took all necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections and that any claims of fraud were unfounded.

TMC’s accusations have sparked widespread protests in several parts of the state, with party workers demanding the annulment of election results in certain constituencies. The controversy has cast a shadow over the future of the Election Commission’s credibility and its role in ensuring the integrity of elections in India.