West Bengal Election 2026: ECI dismisses TMC Allegations as Mamata Banerjee slams BJP ahead of vote counting

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress has adopted an aggressive stance following the exit polls released after the West Bengal Assembly elections. TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee herself has appealed to candidates and party workers to keep a close watch on the strong rooms. Since this appeal, the commotion outside the strong rooms has intensified.

On Thursday, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee visited the 'strong room' in Bhabanipur and alleged tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral rigging. Banerjee arrived at the Sakhawat Memorial School in South Kolkata, which serves as the counting center for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency and where a 'strong room' has been established to house the EVMs used in the polling held on April 29.

Why Did Mamata Banerjee Arrive Amidst Rain?

Notably, Mamata Banerjee reached the 'strong room' site in the evening, undeterred by the torrential rain lashing the city; she remained inside the premises until the latest reports were received. Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port seat, Firhad Hakim, also arrived at the scene but was unable to meet the Chief Minister, as she had already entered the strong room accompanied by her election agent.

Did Mamata Banerjee Tour the Strong Room?

While waiting for Banerjee outside the school premises, Firhad Hakim stated, "I arrived here upon receiving information that the Chief Minister was coming, but I could not meet her because she was already inside the premises, exercising her rights as a candidate to inspect the strong room. I was not granted permission to enter. Therefore, I cannot confirm exactly what is transpiring inside." These developments unfolded at a time when the party's candidates from two North Kolkata seats—Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja—staged a sit-in protest outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra complex. They alleged that the EVMs stored in the strong room within the complex were being tampered with.

Did Election Commission Issue Clarification?

The Election Commission has issued a statement regarding a video that went viral on social media, in which allegations of EVM tampering inside a strong room were leveled. The Election Commission has stated that strongrooms for seven assembly constituencies have been established inside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra. All these strongrooms are kept locked in strict compliance with established regulations. The Commission further clarified that, following the conclusion of voting, all strongrooms were sealed in the presence of the candidates and their respective election agents. General Observers were also present on this occasion. The Commission confirmed that the strongrooms house the EVMs utilized during the voting process and that these machines remain completely secure.

What did Mamata Banerjee allege?

Meanwhile, according to Mamata Banerjee, the various exit poll forecasts predicting a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the West Bengal Assembly elections were, in reality, broadcast by various media organizations under duress and allegedly in exchange for monetary payments from the country's 'ruling party.' She made this claim in a video message posted on her social media handle on Thursday. According to the Chief Minister, there was a dual objective behind this alleged strategy: to prevent a massive plunge in stock market indices and, simultaneously, to demoralize Trinamool Congress workers ahead of the vote counting scheduled for May 4.

Why Did Mamata banerjee Attack the BJP?

West Bengal CM Mamata asserted that the BJP orchestrated all of this by utilizing the media. "I have received concrete information that the exit poll projections aired by media organizations were, in fact, transmitted to these institutions at 1:08 PM on Wednesday." She argued that they took this action because they realized that, in reality, the Trinamool Congress would secure a seat tally exceeding 226—or even 230—thereby rendering all their repressive maneuvers futile. In her video message, the West Bengal Chief Minister thanked Trinamool Congress workers for taking to the streets on Wednesday to ensure a fair election, while also drawing attention to the alleged atrocities jointly perpetrated against workers and the general public by central and state police forces.

What Appeal Did Mamata Banerjee give to TMC Workers?

Mamata Banerjee stated that she is grateful to the general public for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes, undeterred by the scorching heat and despite enduring immense oppression. "I am also grateful to my party workers. They worked tirelessly and endured great atrocities. The fate of those aspiring to seize control of Bengal has already been sealed within the ballot boxes." She further instructed Trinamool Congress workers—particularly the counting agents—to keep their morale high and to guard the strongrooms housing the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) until the vote-counting process begins. The Chief Minister declared, "I myself will remain on the streets to guard the strongrooms. If I can do it, you certainly can too."

When Will Vote Counting Take Place?

She also appealed to her party's counting agents to remain at the counting centers until the vote-counting process concludes on May 4. The West Bengal Chief Minister directed, "Once the counting is over, do not leave the counting centers until I have held my press conference. If you need to temporarily leave the counting center to use the restroom or to eat, ensure that you arrange for someone else to take your place before you depart. Appoint only those individuals who are trustworthy and incorruptible."