Mamata Banerjee Alleges Irregularities Near EVM Strongrooms Ahead of West Bengal Counting

Hours before the counting of votes in the West Bengal Assembly elections began on Monday morning, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made serious allegations claiming irregularities around EVM strongrooms, including power cuts and disruption of CCTV surveillance. Her remarks, posted on social media platform X late Sunday night, added tension to an already high-stakes electoral atmosphere in the state.

Banerjee alleged that in several locations across West Bengal, including Serampore in Hooghly, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Aushgram in Burdwan, and Kolkata’s Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, electricity supply was being deliberately interrupted near strongrooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored. She further claimed that CCTV cameras were being switched off intermittently and that vehicles were moving in and out of sensitive premises under suspicious circumstances.

Calling for heightened vigilance, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief urged party workers to remain alert through the night and monitor strongrooms closely. She instructed them to report any unusual activity immediately, surround suspicious individuals if necessary, and demand access to CCTV footage. Banerjee also alleged that these actions were being carried out at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though no official evidence was provided to substantiate the claim.

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West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja, who is also contesting from the Shyampukur constituency, echoed similar concerns and shared a video on social media showing what she described as a “camera blackout” at Khudiram Anushilan Stadium in Kolkata. She later stated that the issue was resolved following protests from party workers but questioned the cause of the disruption and demanded access to the missing footage.

The allegations came just hours before counting began at 8 am for the 2026 Assembly elections, which were held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The results are being declared for 293 seats, as repolling in Falta has postponed counting for one constituency until May 21 due to reported irregularities during polling.The majority mark in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly is 148. However, the political climate remains highly charged as this election is widely seen as one of the most crucial contests for Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking a fourth term in office after more than a decade in power since defeating the Left Front in 2011.

Banerjee has expressed confidence in a strong mandate, claiming that the Trinamool Congress could secure over 226 seats and possibly even cross 230. However, multiple exit polls have indicated a competitive race, with some projecting an advantage for the BJP, further intensifying political uncertainty ahead of the final results.As counting progresses, all eyes remain on whether the ruling TMC will retain its dominance or whether the opposition can capitalise on what appears to be a closely fought electoral battle in one of India’s most politically significant states.

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