Kolkata: A fresh political flashpoint erupted in West Bengal after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged possible tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in a Kolkata strong room, prompting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders to stage a dharna outside the facility.
Allegations Trigger High Alert
The controversy began when TMC leaders claimed “suspicious movement” inside a sealed EVM strong room where machines from multiple constituencies were stored after polling. The party alleged that the room was accessed without informing authorised agents, raising questions over adherence to Election Commission protocols.
West Bengal Elections 2026 | Kolkata: TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh sit on a dharna in front of the strong room, outside Netaji Indoor Stadium.
TMC alleged that attempts are being made by BJP and ECI officials to open boxes without the presence of relevant party… https://t.co/n9A0w5bzXA pic.twitter.com/KzTTszx0Y3
— WION (@WIONews) April 30, 2026
Banerjee personally visited a strong room site and instructed party workers to maintain strict vigil, warning against any attempt to “capture” or manipulate EVMs. The allegations come amid heightened sensitivity ahead of counting day.
TMC Leaders Stage Sit-In
Senior TMC figures, including Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja, led a protest outside key strong room locations in Kolkata. Party workers gathered in large numbers, staging a sit-in and demanding transparency in the handling of EVMs.
Tensions briefly escalated as rival party supporters also reached the spot, leading to a charged standoff under heavy security deployment.
স্ট্রং রুমের ভেতরে কারা? কেন? সিসিটিভিতে কী দেখা যাচ্ছে? কেন প্রার্থী / এজেন্টরা ছাড়া খোলা হল স্ট্রং রুম? কেন ই-মেল দেখালেও ঢুকতে বাধা দেওয়া হল? ইসির রহস্যময় কাজ। আমরা স্ট্রং রুমের সামনেই ধর্ণায়। পরে ভুল স্বীকার করেছে ইসি। আমরা প্রাথমিক পরিদর্শন করে প্রস্তাব কিছু দিয়েছি। ইসি… pic.twitter.com/WWFrHnFPy1
— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) April 30, 2026
EC, BJP Dismiss Charges
The Election Commission of India rejected the allegations, asserting that all EVMs are kept in sealed strong rooms under multi-layered security, including CCTV surveillance and round-the-clock monitoring in the presence of candidates’ representatives.
The BJP termed the claims “baseless” and politically motivated, accusing the ruling party of attempting to create doubt over the electoral process ahead of counting.
High-Stakes Contest Before Counting
The row comes at a crucial juncture in the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, with results expected in the coming days. With both sides trading sharp accusations, the EVM controversy has added another layer of tension to an already fiercely contested election.
As protests continue, security around strong rooms has been tightened, even as the Election Commission maintains that safeguards remain fully intact.
