West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate for Bhabanipur constituency, Mamata Banerjee speaks to the media during her visit to a counting centre within her constituency ahead of the counting of votes in the state Assembly elections, in Kolkata, on May 1, 2026. Photo: PTI
Mamata warns of ‘tampering’ as tensions mount ahead of Bengal counting on May 4
After TMC supremo visits Bhabanipur strong room, she demanded transparency and CCTV access, while EC says no scope for malpractice at counting centres
Even as several exit polls predicted an edge for the BJP over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday (May 1) warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process.
This came hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Mamata, who emerged around 12.07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area. "Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
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Stressing the need for transparency, Mamata said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
EC's response
However, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Friday asserted there is no scope for wrongdoing at the counting centres, stating that round-the-clock CCTV monitoring of strong rooms was in place.
TMC spokesperson and Beleghata constituency candidate Kunal Ghosh said that party workers and poll aspirants were keeping a vigil at the counting centres, where the EVMs are stored in strong rooms, as per the direction of party supremo Mamata Banerjee.
"There is no scope for any wrongdoing given the arrangements made," CEO Manoj Agarwal told reporters. Stating that round-the-clock CCTV monitoring of the strong rooms is underway, he said people can watch the monitors from outside.
"One should have reason and evidence for making allegations," he said, maintaining that the complaints are baseless.
Mamata's warning
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, Mamata warned that if there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated.
On Thursday evening, Mamata had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
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"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 said.
TMC candidates protest
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Mamata had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
Expressing apprehension that unauthorised movements might occur when a section of postal ballots is brought in the evening, Ghosh said the party's polling agents and candidates have been alerted about the matter.
Police deployed, security tightened
Meanwhile, a senior police officer said enhanced security arrangements have been made at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, the counting centre for several assembly seats in north and east Kolkata housing EVM strongrooms.
"Additional CAPFs and armed police forces have also been deployed under the supervision of an additional commissioner and a deputy commissioner of police," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Kolkata, Rupesh Kumar, said after visiting the area.
He said identity cards have been issued to view CCTV monitors.
(With agency inputs)