CM Mamata urges voters to halt polling if EVMs malfunction

Kolkata, April 4 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday called upon voters to halt polling wherever instances of electronic voting machine (EVM) malfunction are reported during the forthcoming two-phase Assembly elections in the state later this month. 

She also urged voters to resist any alleged attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to prevent genuine voters from reaching polling stations by using Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel.

“The BJP might try to prevent genuine voters from reaching the polling stations on polling day by using the CAPF. The EVMs are manufactured by a central government entity. If there are cases of EVM malfunction, refrain from voting and stop the polling process. Insist on bringing new EVMs. You have to be careful about power cuts before or during the counting. Guard the EVM strong rooms day and night. Women should especially take the lead role,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a campaign rally at Manikchak in Malda district on Saturday.

She also cautioned voters against alleged attempts by the BJP to bring outsiders into several areas. “Be vigilant about outsiders coming to your localities before the election. Keep a tab on where they are staying and whether they are trying to lure voters with money. After winning in Bengal again this year, our next target will be New Delhi,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the Congress, which still has a strong base in Malda district, has a clandestine understanding with the BJP for the Assembly polls this time.

“That clandestine arrangement was there in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and that is continuing now as well. The CPI-M is also having a clandestine understanding with the BJP. So voting for either Congress or CPI(M) will mean voting for the BJP. Do not divide your votes by supporting Congress or CPI-M,” she said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Trinamool Congress submitted a list of 40 star campaigners for the forthcoming two-phase Assembly elections scheduled on April 23 and April 29.

The first two names on the list are Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress’s national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee. Apart from them, almost all MPs and key MLA candidates have been included among the 40 star campaigners.