West Bengal’s fiercely contested 2026 Assembly election has entered a volatile final phase after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a late-night visit to Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strong rooms in Kolkata, alleging irregularities ahead of counting day.
The dramatic intervention came after Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders staged protests outside Netaji Indoor Stadium and other storage centres, claiming ballot boxes were opened without polling agents present. The Election Commission of India (ECI) denied any wrongdoing, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Banerjee of manufacturing panic after unfavourable exit polls.
With results due on May 4, the dispute has intensified scrutiny over the electoral process and sharpened the political battle between Bengal’s two principal rivals.
Tampering Claim Sparks Protest
The confrontation began when TMC leaders gathered outside Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium, one of the designated counting and storage centres, alleging suspicious movement of sealed election material. Party leaders claimed CCTV footage showed ballot boxes being opened without authorised party representatives inside the premises. TMC described the development as a threat to democratic norms and demanded an immediate clarification from election authorities.
The party argued that any movement involving sealed ballot material or election equipment must take place transparently and in the presence of authorised agents. The allegations quickly spread online, with supporters sharing videos and raising fresh concerns over the security of EVMs and postal ballots.
Mamata’s Midnight Vigil
As the row escalated, Mamata Banerjee personally travelled to Bhabanipur, her own constituency and long-time political base, where EVMs were being stored at Sakhawat Memorial School. Reports said the Chief Minister remained inside the strong room complex for more than three hours, speaking to officials and party workers before leaving in the early hours. Her presence transformed a procedural controversy into a major political event.
After emerging, Banerjee said she had come after seeing visuals on television and wanted to inspect the situation personally. She alleged that “manipulation is taking place” and warned that any attempt to steal EVM machines or interfere with counting would be resisted. She also described the defence of the public mandate as a “life and death fight” and said she would continue that battle “all my life”.
Banerjee further alleged that central security personnel initially stopped her from entering the premises before later allowing access. She said candidates and their authorised agents are permitted to go up to the sealed room perimeter under election rules.
Bhabanipur Stakes Matter
Banerjee’s decision to visit Bhabanipur carried significance beyond symbolism. The constituency is not only her current seat but one of TMC’s most recognisable urban strongholds. It was from Bhabanipur that she re-entered the Assembly in an earlier by-election after her defeat in Nandigram.
Any allegation linked to Bhabanipur therefore carries greater political weight inside TMC’s narrative. By choosing to inspect the strong room there herself, Banerjee signalled that no seat, including her own, would be left unwatched before the final count.
Election Panel Rejects Charges
The Election Commission moved quickly to reject allegations of tampering. Officials said no EVM strong room had been opened and that the footage circulating online related to routine handling of postal ballots in a separate designated section of the same premises. According to the ECI, all recognised parties and candidates had been informed in advance about postal ballot procedures, and authorised representatives were allowed to remain present under established rules.
Authorities added that:
- Sealed EVM chambers remained locked
- Multi-layer security was in place
- CCTV monitoring continued throughout the night
- All movement was recorded under protocol
The clarification sought to distinguish between EVM storage and postal ballot processing, two separate procedures often confused during politically charged moments.
BJP Calls It Drama
The BJP responded sharply, accusing TMC of attempting to discredit institutions before the results. Opposition leaders said the late-night protests were a pre-planned political drama designed to create suspicion after exit polls suggested a strong BJP challenge.
Some BJP figures also claimed Banerjee’s visit to the strong room amounted to inappropriate pressure on officials responsible for conducting a neutral process. The party argued that repeated attacks on the Election Commission reflected TMC nervousness rather than genuine procedural concerns.
Exit Polls Raise Pressure
The timing of the controversy is significant. Several exit polls suggested the BJP could substantially cut into TMC’s dominance and potentially make the contest highly competitive, though forecasts varied. Banerjee rejected those projections outright and said TMC would win more than 226 seats, describing the surveys as attempts to demoralise party workers.
That claim has energised cadres on both sides. For TMC, vigilance at counting centres is being framed as defence of democracy. For BJP, confidence in the official process is being projected as proof that TMC fears losing ground after 15 years in power.
Why Strong Rooms Matter
Strong rooms are heavily secured facilities where EVMs and VVPAT machines are stored after polling until counting begins. These sites are among the most sensitive locations in any Indian election because they contain the physical record of votes cast.
Candidates and their authorised agents usually monitor the perimeter around the clock. Security personnel guard entry points, CCTV cameras remain active, and seals are checked before counting starts. Because trust is central to the process, even routine administrative movement can trigger controversy when political tensions are high.gh.
Eyes On May 4 Count
Attention now turns to counting day on May 4, when postal ballots will be opened first, followed by EVM rounds under official supervision. Several key questions remain:
- Can TMC retain power for another term?
- Can BJP convert momentum into seats?
- Will the controversy affect public confidence?
- Could narrow margins trigger fresh disputes?
If the result is decisive, the current row may quickly fade. If margins are tight, every allegation and every procedural detail could return to the centre of the debate.
Battle Beyond Ballots
The Kolkata strong room flashpoint reflects a wider truth about modern elections: legitimacy depends not only on secure systems, but also on public confidence in those systems. TMC says it is guarding democracy. The Election Commission says rules were followed. BJP says the drama is politically motivated.
As Bengal waits for the official verdict, the battle has already moved beyond ballots to trust, institutions and political authority.
