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In a notable case of misinformation, a viral video claiming to show electoral fraud in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming vote count has been debunked by fact-checkers. The footage, which shows protesters shouting slogans alleging vote theft, is actually from Bihar and was recorded months earlier.
The controversial clip began circulating on social media platforms this week with captions claiming it showed unrest in Kolkata. One user on X (formerly Twitter) made the explosive allegation that “BJP’s Amit Shah has taken control of the Election Commission office,” while calling for Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s Chief Minister, to “call for a shutdown of the entire state.”
This misinformation comes at a sensitive time, with vote counting for Assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry scheduled for May 4, 2026. The timing of such claims could potentially inflame political tensions in regions where electoral contests are often closely fought and contentious.
India Today’s Fact Check team conducted a thorough investigation, tracing the video to Sasaram in Bihar’s Rohtas district. The footage was actually recorded in November 2025, months before the current electoral process in West Bengal. This was confirmed through multiple lines of evidence, including comments on the original post that correctly identified the location.
A key detail that helped identify the true origin of the video was the word “Sasaram” visible on the entrance gate of the building in the footage. Further keyword searches revealed that several reputable news outlets, including The Indian Express, ABP Bihar, and News 18, had reported on this exact incident back in November 2025.
The actual controversy captured in the video stemmed from allegations made by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. The opposition party had accused the district administration in Sasaram of bringing a truck allegedly loaded with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to the counting center without prior notice, raising suspicions about potential electoral manipulation.
According to reports published in Hindustan Times and The Times of India at that time, the incident occurred at the Bazar Samiti counting center in Takia, Sasaram. District officials had quickly denied the RJD’s allegations, stating that the vehicle contained only empty storage boxes, not EVMs.
In fact, the Rohtas district administration had formally responded to these allegations when they first surfaced, clarifying that they had conducted an inspection of the truck in the presence of candidates after receiving reports about its entry into the counting center. Officials emphasized that this inspection was videotaped for transparency and confirmed that no EVMs were found in the vehicle, only empty steel trunks.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of election-related misinformation in India, where social media can rapidly amplify false claims across state boundaries. With high-stakes Assembly elections approaching in multiple states, the potential for such misinformation to create confusion or even unrest remains significant.
Electoral authorities and social media platforms have been working to implement measures to counter such false information, but the speed at which misleading content can spread continues to pose challenges for maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
The false claim about BJP taking control of the Election Commission office in West Bengal represents a particularly dangerous form of misinformation, as it directly questions the integrity of India’s electoral institutions at a crucial moment in the democratic process.
AI/ML Newsblast
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6 Comments
This is a concerning case of misinformation that could inflame political tensions. It’s crucial that facts are verified before spreading such claims, especially around sensitive electoral processes. I hope the investigation by India Today helps clarify the situation.
Fact-checking is so important to combat the spread of misinformation, especially on social media. I’m glad the India Today team was able to trace this video back to its original context in Bihar. Vigilance is key during election periods.
The timing of these claims is certainly suspicious, coming right before vote counting. It’s good that the footage has been debunked as an old video from a different state. Maintaining election integrity is crucial for any democracy.
It’s unsettling to see such explosive claims being made without solid evidence. I appreciate the fact-checking effort to trace this video back to its original context. Upholding election integrity should be a top priority for all.
This is a concerning case that highlights the need for vigilance against misinformation, especially around elections. I’m glad the India Today team was able to uncover the true source of this video. Maintaining public trust in the electoral process is critical.
Misinformation can be very damaging, especially when it comes to electoral processes. I’m glad the India Today team was able to trace this video and debunk the claims. Maintaining trust in democratic institutions is crucial.