Mamata Banerjee writes to EC, alleges BJP agents attempting 'voter hijacking' by flooding CEC's office

In her communication to the Chief Election Commissioner, Banerjee alleged that agents linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were attempting to add non-residents to the voter list through fraudulent means. She claimed that large numbers of Form 6 applications—used for voter registration—were being submitted in bulk at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal, reported ANI.

Describing the alleged move as “voter hijacking,” Banerjee said it was an attempt to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections by including outsiders in the state’s electoral rolls, reported ANI.

Allegations of Administrative Irregularities

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo also raised concerns over the handling of genuine voter applications. She claimed that over 60 lakh legitimate applications remain pending, while authorities were allegedly fast-tracking questionable submissions, reported ANI.

Banerjee further alleged that the process lacked transparency and may violate established legal norms. She described the situation as a direct challenge to free and fair elections in the state.

Demands Immediate EC Intervention

In her letter, Banerjee urged the Election Commission to immediately halt what she termed an “undemocratic exercise.” She called for strict adherence to guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and demanded that no new or suspicious entries be added after the publication of the final electoral roll on February 28, 2026, reported ANI.

She emphasised that safeguarding electoral integrity was critical and warned against any attempt to compromise democratic rights.

Concerns Over Non-Resident Voters

Banerjee also pointed to reports suggesting that some of the applications may relate to individuals with no legitimate connection to West Bengal. She alleged that similar patterns had been observed in elections in other states, raising concerns about a broader strategy, reported ANI.

She stated that if proven true, such actions would be unconstitutional and undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

Political Tensions Rise Ahead of 2026 Elections

The latest allegations come amid intensifying political rivalry between the ruling TMC and the BJP in the run-up to the Assembly elections. Banerjee recently accused the BJP of attempting to polarise voters and disrupt social harmony as part of its campaign strategy.

With the election season approaching, the issue of electoral rolls and voter inclusion is likely to remain a key flashpoint between the two parties, further heightening political tensions in the state.

(With inputs from ANI)