The Election Commission of India on Thursday rejected allegations of EVM tampering in West Bengal, asserting that all strong rooms storing voting machines and ballot materials were securely sealed in the presence of candidates and observers, even as the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified its attack on the BJP ahead of counting on May 4.
The poll body said all seven strong rooms at the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra were sealed by around 5:15 am after polling, following due procedure and under multi-layered security. It added that candidates, election agents, and General Observers were present during the sealing process, ensuring transparency. A separate strong room has also been designated for postal ballots, including those received through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETBPS).
The clarification came after the TMC shared a purported CCTV video alleging that ballot boxes were opened inside a strong room without authorised representatives. The party accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of collusion with election authorities to manipulate the process, escalating an already charged political atmosphere.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the strong room at Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ High School in Kolkata, where ballots from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency and nearby areas are stored. Her visit came amid mounting tensions and calls by the TMC leadership for heightened vigilance.
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A large crowd of party workers and supporters gathered outside the strong room, prompting deployment of police and security personnel to manage the situation and maintain order. Visuals showed barricades and heavy security presence as authorities attempted to control the swelling crowd amid rising political rhetoric.
Earlier in the day, senior TMC leaders, including Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh, staged a protest, alleging electoral malpractice and demanding accountability. The party also set up monitoring camps near strong rooms in districts such as Durgapur, where around 100 workers have been stationed to keep round-the-clock watch until counting day.
The Election Commission reiterated that all political parties were kept informed about each stage of the process, including the segregation and storage of postal ballots, which began at 4 pm on polling day. Returning Officers communicated updates through official channels, including email, to ensure transparency and trust among stakeholders.
The TMC, however, maintained that attempts to influence the election extended beyond alleged tampering, citing claims of voter list deletions, intimidation, and possible EVM manipulation. In a video message, Banerjee urged party workers to guard counting centres “round the clock”, warning of a “plot to swap machines” during transit from strong rooms to counting halls.
The BJP has denied all allegations, accusing the TMC of attempting to create confusion ahead of results. The controversy comes amid heightened suspense over the outcome of the 294-seat Assembly election, with exit polls offering mixed projections — some giving an edge to the BJP, while others predicting a return of the TMC with a comfortable majority.
With counting just days away, the focus has now shifted to security arrangements and the integrity of the electoral process, as both sides brace for a closely watched verdict.
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