Kolkata, May 1: During a press conference, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Dola Sen addressed the ongoing controversy regarding postal ballots in the West Bengal assembly elections. She highlighted the video footage from CCTV cameras positioned outside each strong room, asserting that anyone can view it.
Dola Sen stated that the video is official. However, no one from their party has been able to view it inside the strong room, as entry is prohibited. She emphasized that the footage being displayed by the Election Commission must be shared, and if it is found to be fake, it would raise questions about the Commission’s credibility.
She accused the Election Commission of failing to act appropriately, noting that 225 lives have been lost and 9 million voters have been disenfranchised. “The Election Commission is doing as it pleases,” she remarked.
Dola Sen mentioned that a video shared by their party clearly shows activities occurring inside the strong room, including the lights being turned on. This prompted their candidates to visit the location, following which the Election Commission made statements regarding postal ballots.
She pointed out that both their candidates and those from the opposition were present, forcing the Election Commission to acknowledge the postal ballot situation. Dola Sen questioned why the Election Commission did not provide prior information about the strong room’s opening, which is typically sealed with signatures from all parties involved.
She criticized the timing of the notification, stating that information was sent via email at 4 PM, coinciding with the strong room’s opening. “The Election Commission should have given everyone time to arrive,” she insisted, labeling the Commission’s actions as illegal. As a result, the TMC plans to take legal action. Dola Sen also noted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had entered the strong room as a candidate alongside the chief election agent.
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