Mamata Banerjee reached a strongroom facility in Kolkata amid an ongoing sit-in protest by workers and leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress over allegations of possible EVM tampering and irregularities related to election security.
The dramatic political development unfolded after TMC leaders claimed that suspicious activity had been noticed near the strongroom where Electronic Voting Machines and election-related materials were being stored following polling. Party workers gathered outside the facility demanding greater transparency and tighter monitoring of the premises.
Mamata Banerjee personally visited the strongroom site and interacted with party leaders, election observers, and security personnel. She reportedly instructed party workers to remain vigilant and ensure that all electoral procedures were followed strictly.
Addressing supporters during the visit, Banerjee alleged that attempts could be made to manipulate the electoral process and said the TMC would continue monitoring strongrooms until counting day.
“We will protect democracy and ensure every vote is safeguarded,” she reportedly told party workers gathered outside the facility.
The protest intensified political tensions in the state, with the BJP accusing the TMC of creating unnecessary controversy and attempting to undermine confidence in the electoral process before results were announced.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India rejected allegations of irregularities and stated that all strongroom security protocols were being strictly maintained. Officials said the premises were under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance and guarded by central security forces as per established election procedures.
Election authorities also clarified that representatives of political parties were permitted to observe strongroom arrangements and monitor security measures throughout the storage period.
Strongrooms storing EVMs are considered highly sensitive during elections and are typically secured through multiple layers of physical and electronic monitoring until counting day.
Political analysts noted that allegations surrounding EVM security frequently become flashpoints during closely contested elections, especially in politically charged states like West Bengal where rivalry between the TMC and BJP remains intense.
The latest episode has once again brought the issue of electoral transparency and EVM security into public debate, with both ruling and opposition parties accusing each other of attempting to influence public perception ahead of vote counting.
Despite the tensions, election officials reiterated that the integrity of the electoral process remained fully protected and that strict procedures were in place to prevent any unauthorized access or tampering.
