West Bengal Election Protocol Breach Alleged

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the India — West Bengal Assembly, alleged a serious breach of election protocols. He claimed that officers assigned to counting duties are disclosing their specific duty details, locations, and designations to departmental organizations and associations. Suvendu Adhikari stated that spreadsheets and lists are being circulated where officers are filling out their 'Election Duty Info' either voluntarily or under pressure. He warned that this practice could lead to undue political influence, compromise the neutrality of the counting process, and serve as a tactic to pressure officers to favor the ruling dispensation. Suvendu Adhikari urged the India — Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of India — West Bengal to take immediate action, issue strict directives prohibiting such disclosures, and initiate a probe into the organizations collecting this sensitive data. India — Bharatiya Janata Party MP Saumitra Khan echoed these concerns, alleging fraud by ROs and DMs who are reportedly soliciting counting officers' IDs via WhatsApp to create fake credentials. Security has been heightened outside strongrooms in Kolkata ahead of the vote counting on May 4.