Friday, Jul 24, 2026 The claims desk. Receipts included. POWERED BY LENZ
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POLITICS

The Claim

Firhad Hakim, a minister in the West Bengal government and Mayor of Kolkata, arranged for a 9-year-old child (his daughter or granddaughter) to cast a vote in an election.

The Short Version

Available reporting supports only that Firhad Hakim brought family members to the polling booth and a 9-year-old granddaughter was photographed with an ink mark. Credible accounts describe this as ink applied “for fun,” and none of the cited sources provides official confirmation, booth testimony, or records showing the child was issued a ballot or voted. The allegation that Hakim arranged for a minor to cast a vote is not substantiated.

Caveats

  • An ink mark in a photo is not proof of voting; it can be applied outside the formal voting process, so the inference “inked finger = cast ballot” is unsupported.
  • The allegation originates from partisan political social-media claims and is reported as disputed; it should not be treated as an established incident without independent verification.
  • No Election Commission finding or polling-station evidence is provided here; absent such confirmation, claims of a minor voting remain unproven.

The Receipts

  1. Firhad Hakim's Shocking Child Ink Photo Sparks 1 Big Bengal Poll Row - Hindustan Herald

    Hindustan Herald

  2. BJP flags ink mark on Bengal minister's granddaughter, TMC dismisses charge | Politics

    Politics

  3. Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: EC to probe EVM tampering allegations in West Bengal, 77 complaints filed - The Times of India

    The Times of India

  4. Firhad Hakim Votes with Family & Alleges Threat Call | West Bengal Assembly Elections - YouTube

    Republic World

  5. স্বপরিবারে ভোট দিলেন ফিরহাদ হাকিম - Jazzbaat 24 Bangla

    Jazzbaat 24 Bangla

  6. সপরিবারে ভোট দিলেন ফিরহাদ হাকিম - Hindusthan Samachar Bangali

    Hindusthan Samachar Bangali

  7. - YouTube

    YouTube

  8. ED summons Trinamool leader Firhad Hakim's daughter

    The Bengal Story

  9. A game of chess, a vote with the family: Netas' poll-day playbook | Kolkata News

    Kolkata News

  10. Champawat court sets aside zila panchayat seat election over dual voter entry

    Times of India

+ 1 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Electoral FraudFirhad HakimKolkataMamata BanerjeeWest Bengal

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