Trinamool Congress workers alleged that a vehicle carrying Bharatiya Janata Party flags entered an electronic voting machine strongroom in the Bhabanipur constituency [1].
The incident occurred during the counting period for the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 in Kolkata [2]. This allegation raises significant questions about the security of the voting process and the integrity of the EVMs in a high-profile constituency associated with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee [1].
According to reports, the TMC workers staged protests outside the counting centre after the vehicle allegedly entered the secure area without undergoing proper checks [2]. The party said the breach of security suggests a compromise in the protocols designed to protect the machines from unauthorized access [1].
While the situation in Bhabanipur escalated, other electoral updates have emerged from the region. The Election Commission of India ordered a complete repoll in the Falta assembly constituency, which is scheduled for May 21, 2026 [2]. The counting for the Falta constituency is subsequently scheduled for May 24, 2026 [2].
The Bhabanipur protests highlight the ongoing tension between the TMC and the BJP during the state's electoral process. The TMC said the presence of a party-flagged vehicle inside a restricted zone is an unacceptable lapse in oversight [1].
Security officials at the counting centre have not yet provided a detailed public response regarding the specific entry of the vehicle or the nature of the security checks performed at the gate [2].
“TMC workers alleged that a vehicle carrying Bharatiya Janata Party flags entered an electronic voting machine strongroom”
The allegation of a security breach at a counting centre in Bhabanipur underscores the volatile nature of West Bengal's political landscape. Because the strongroom is the final safeguard for EVMs before results are declared, any perceived lapse in protocol can lead to widespread challenges regarding the legitimacy of the election results. This incident, coupled with the ECI's order for a repoll in Falta, indicates a high level of scrutiny and instability surrounding the 2026 assembly election process.
