BJP Alleges EVM Button Taping in West Bengal's Falta; Election Commission to Verify
1 hour agoPolitics
37LENS
18 SourcesDiamond Harbour, India
TBNthebalanced.news

BJP Alleges EVM Button Taping in West Bengal's Falta; Election Commission to Verify

During the second phase of West Bengal's 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP alleged that its party symbol button on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was blocked with tape at several polling booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour constituency. BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, demanded repolling in affected booths, calling the practice the 'Diamond Harbour Model.' The Trinamool Congress denied these allegations, blaming poll management issues. The West Bengal Election Commission stated it would verify complaints and order repolling if tampering is confirmed, with voting continuing amid heightened security and scrutiny.

Political Bias
49%33%18%
Sentiment
32%
AI analysis of 15 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 29 Apr 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 18 sources
● Left 49%● Center 33%● Right 18%

The article group presents perspectives primarily from the BJP, which alleges EVM tampering to block its symbol, and the Trinamool Congress, which denies these claims and attributes issues to election management. Official responses from the Election Commission emphasize verification and procedural fairness. Coverage reflects the political contest between BJP and TMC in a key constituency, with both parties framing the issue to support their electoral narratives.

Sentiment — Negative (32/100)

The overall tone across the articles is mixed, combining serious allegations of electoral malpractice by the BJP with denials and counterclaims from the Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission's measured response introduces a neutral, procedural element. The coverage conveys tension and controversy without definitive conclusions, maintaining a balanced but cautious sentiment.

How 15 sources covered this story

Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
timesnowTimes Now Exclusive 'EVM Buttons Taped to Block BJP Votes': Candidate Alleges Irregularities in Bengal Phase II PollingLeftNeutral
theprintBJP alleges poll rigged in Bengal's Falta, says party button on EVM 'blocked by tape'Center-leftNegative
republicworldWest Bengal Polls: West Bengal CEO Orders Re-Polling Across Locations Where EVMs Were Found Tampered with TapeCenterNeutral
freepressjournal'Will Do What Is Required': BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari On Lotus Symbol 'Taped' At Booths In Diamond Harbour - VIDEOCenterNeutral
news18BJP Alleged That Their Symbol Button On EVMs Is Blocked With Tape In Several Booths News18Center-leftNegative
oneindiaBJP Button Taped! Falta Election EVM Controversy In Diamond Harbour Raises Allegations About Voting EquipmentCenter-leftNegative
thestatesman'If buttons taped, repoll', says West Bengal CEO after BJP flags EVM issue in Diamond HarbourCenterNeutral
ndtvVideo BJP Slams Trinamool's 'Diamond Harbour Model', Says Symbol 'Taped' At BoothsLeftNegative
englishTape On BJP Button? Row Erupts In Bengal Polls As Party Alleges EVM TamperingLeftNegative
news18EC Finds Prima Facie Evidence Of EVM Taping In Bengal's Falta, Seeks Detailed ReportCenterNeutral
timesnowTMC Blocked Lotus Symbol On EVMs? Here's What BJP Alleged; EC RespondsCenter-leftNeutral
economictimes"Booths to go for repoll if taping of EVM buttons verified": West Bengal CEO after BJP alleges irregularities in FaltaLeftNeutral
indiatvnewsBJP demands immediate repoll in Bengal's Falta seat over 'blocked vote' allegations; EC respondsCenterNeutral
thestatesman'Diamond Harbour Model': BJP releases video of party button on EVM blocked by tape at boothsLeftNegative
freepressjournalWB Assembly Elections 2026: BJP Alleges Symbol 'Taped' At Booths In Diamond Harbour, Slams TMC - VideoLeftNegative

Coverage timeline

freepressjournal broke this story on 29 Apr, 06:44 am. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    freepressjournal29 Apr, 06:44 am
    WB Assembly Elections 2026: BJP Alleges Symbol 'Taped' At Booths In Diamond Harbour, Slams TMC - Video
  2. 2
    thestatesman29 Apr, 06:52 am
    'Diamond Harbour Model': BJP releases video of party button on EVM blocked by tape at booths
  3. 3
    indiatvnews29 Apr, 07:16 am
    BJP demands immediate repoll in Bengal's Falta seat over 'blocked vote' allegations; EC responds
  4. 4
    economictimes29 Apr, 07:19 am
    "Booths to go for repoll if taping of EVM buttons verified": West Bengal CEO after BJP alleges irregularities in Falta
  5. 5
    timesnow29 Apr, 07:24 am
    TMC Blocked Lotus Symbol On EVMs? Here's What BJP Alleged; EC Responds
  6. 6
    news1829 Apr, 07:35 am
    EC Finds Prima Facie Evidence Of EVM Taping In Bengal's Falta, Seeks Detailed Report
  7. 7
    english29 Apr, 07:38 am
    Tape On BJP Button? Row Erupts In Bengal Polls As Party Alleges EVM Tampering
  8. 8
    ndtv29 Apr, 07:40 am
    Video BJP Slams Trinamool's 'Diamond Harbour Model', Says Symbol 'Taped' At Booths
  9. 9
    thestatesman29 Apr, 07:44 am
    'If buttons taped, repoll', says West Bengal CEO after BJP flags EVM issue in Diamond Harbour
  10. 10
    oneindia29 Apr, 07:45 am
    BJP Button Taped! Falta Election EVM Controversy In Diamond Harbour Raises Allegations About Voting Equipment

Lens Score breakdown

37/100
Public interest0/100
Coverage gap90%

Story is receiving appropriate media attention relative to public interest.

Accountability flags

TBN's analysis identified the following accountability dimensions in this story.

  • electoral malpractice

    This story involves alleged interference in elections — voter suppression, booth capture, misuse of machinery, or funding violations.

Who's involved

Institutions and figures named across source coverage.

Government
West Bengal Election CommissionWest Bengal Election CommissionerElection Commission of India
Political
Trinamool CongressBJPLok Sabha MP Abhishek BanerjeeChief Minister Mamata BanerjeeBharatiya Janata Party
Enforcement
Election Commission Police ObserverPoliceWest Bengal Police

Story context

Category
Politics
Location
Diamond Harbour, India
Sources analysed
18
Last analysed
29 Apr 2026
Key entities
Bharatiya Janata PartyWest BengalDiamond HarbourFalta Assembly constituencyTrinamool CongressAbhishek Banerjee (politician)Mamata BanerjeeLok SabhaPolling stationVoter turnoutChief ministerJahangir