Banerjee Alleges EVM Tampering, Stages Vigil At Counting Center

Kolkata, West Bengal – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Sakhawat Memorial School in South Kolkata, a counting center for the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, on Thursday evening, alleging potential tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the April 29 polls. Her visit came amid suspicions of malpractice and followed a day after the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.

Banerjee arrived at the school despite heavy rainfall, remaining inside the premises as of late Thursday night, according to reports from The Hindu and Rediff.com. She had earlier urged party leaders, candidates, and workers to remain vigilant during the counting process and to safeguard the strong rooms housing the EVMs.

Kolkata Mayor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate for the Kolkata Port segment, Firhad Hakim, attempted to meet with Banerjee but was unsuccessful. “I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside,” Hakim stated, as reported by Rediff.com.

TMC Protests and Allegations

The visit followed allegations of irregularities and potential tampering with the voting machines. Simultaneously, TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, also alleging irregular activities within the EVM strongroom facilities, The Hindu reported.

Banerjee also alleged that exit poll projections were aired “at the instruction of the BJP” in an attempt to demoralize her party workers, asserting that the TMC would win more than 226 seats in the Assembly polls, according to The Hindu.

Election Commission Response and Ongoing Polling

The Election Commission is currently reviewing demands for repolling in 77 booths across four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district following the second phase of West Bengal elections held on April 29, The Hindu reported. These demands stem from allegations of EVM malfunction, booth capturing, intimidation, and violations of voting secrecy.

The second and final phase of polling in West Bengal on April 29 saw a record turnout of 92.65%, despite isolated incidents of unrest and violence, The Hindu noted.

Claims of Tampering and Strongroom Security

Reports from India Today indicate a heightened sense of tension surrounding the EVM strongrooms, with TMC members guarding the facilities amid claims of potential tampering. The situation reflects broader concerns about the integrity of the electoral process as counting day approaches.

NDTV reported that the TMC has alleged ballot boxes were opened, a claim that has been dismissed as “pure rumours” by the BJP.