ECI Restricts Abhishek Banerjee From Entering Kolkata Counting Facility

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday barred Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member, from entering the counting centre at Hastings in South Kolkata. The decision came after he arrived at the venue with his security team, even though he is not a candidate in the recently held two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections. Officials from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office confirmed that instructions were immediately issued to enforce his removal from the premises.

The move was taken after election authorities reviewed his presence at the counting facility, which is restricted to candidates, authorised agents, and election officials. According to officials, the Election Commission directed returning officers and counting observers to prevent his entry, reinforcing strict protocols governing access to counting centres. The incident highlighted heightened security and procedural sensitivity during the ongoing vote counting process in the state.

At another counting venue in South Kolkata’s Shakhawat Memorial Government Girls School, tension also rose during the scrutiny of votes in the high-profile Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were both present at the centre and were reportedly carrying mobile phones inside the premises. This prompted immediate intervention from officials, who sought clarification from the CEO’s office before escalating the matter to the Election Commission in New Delhi.

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Following instructions from the ECI, returning officers were directed to either ensure that mobile phones were kept outside the counting hall or to take custody of the devices if required. The incident underscored the strict enforcement of election counting protocols, particularly in constituencies under close political scrutiny. Authorities maintained that such measures are necessary to preserve transparency and prevent any procedural violations during vote counting.

Meanwhile, early trends released by the ECI indicated a strong performance by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had reportedly won 11 seats and was leading in 186 of the 293 constituencies being counted. The Trinamool Congress had secured two seats and was leading in 88, while the Congress and the Left Front–All India Secular Front alliance were ahead in a few constituencies. Several senior ministers from the Mamata Banerjee cabinet were also trailing in their respective seats, reflecting a competitive and closely watched electoral battle.

In Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee was reported to be ahead, while in Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari maintained a lead, keeping both constituencies at the centre of political attention. With counting still underway, the election results are shaping up to be a closely contested outcome, with early trends indicating significant shifts in voter preference and a high-stakes political landscape in West Bengal.

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