Kolkata: Abhishek Banerjee has stirred fresh controversy over the electoral process, claiming that while Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) may not be directly tampered with, they can be “swapped.”

He alleged that EVMs used during polling did not match the serial numbers recorded in Form 17C when cross-checked at counting tables. Banerjee also claimed that nearly 90 per cent of machines used for around 12 hours still showed 92 to 95 per cent battery charge.

The remarks have triggered renewed debate over the handling and transparency of EVMs.