For the first time, the Communist party which has controlled politics in West Bengal for over 25 years has admitted the pervasive existence of false voter ID and ration cards. Following initial investigation from the Election Commission (EC), the party has admitted to poll malpractices in the past. The cards belong to people who are either dead, non-existent, or temporary Bangladeshi migrants imported to participate in elections. Spurred on by the opposition parties, the EC has appointed a 19-member observer team to monitor elections in West Bengal and to further investigate allegations of malpractice.