Election Commission rejected TMC's allegations of postal ballot tampering in West Bengal strong rooms during a press conference. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited a Kolkata strong room and raised concerns over irregularities. Vote counting is scheduled for May 4.
A controversy erupted over strong rooms in Kolkata ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Trinamool Congress released a video on social media alleging tampering with postal ballots. TMC claimed BJP supporters were caught on CCTV trying to open sealed ballot boxes at Netaji Indoor Stadium strong room without any party members present.
Chief Election Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal dismissed the allegations in a press conference. He stated, "Strong rooms are properly sealed and no one can enter them." North Kolkata DO Smita Pandey clarified, "Officials were inspecting the ballot corridor. Ballot papers were being sorted; our processes are transparent. All EVMs are secure."
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited strong rooms at Sakawat Memorial School and Bhabanipur. Emerging, she said, “I came here because this is the EVM strong room. We found irregularities at several places.” She mentioned being stopped by central forces but allowed entry as per election rules permitting candidates outside sealed rooms.
TMC and BJP supporters clashed outside the strong room, with Banerjee present. BJP supporters stopped a suspicious vehicle. The Commission directed zero tolerance on post-election violence. Counting is scheduled for May 4.
