West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited a sealed electronic voting machine strong room in Bhabanipur late on May 4, 2026 [2].

The visit occurs during a period of high tension ahead of the result announcements, raising questions about the security of the voting process in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Any perceived breach of the sealed room could lead to legal challenges or public unrest regarding the legitimacy of the election outcome.

Banerjee spent approximately four hours inside the facility in south Kolkata [1]. She said there was a possibility of manipulation regarding the machines. The chief minister said that any plan to tamper with the counting process will not be tolerated [1].

During the late-night event, Banerjee emphasized her commitment to the integrity of the vote. She said, "I will fight this with my life and death" [2]. The visit was intended to safeguard the count before the official results were released.

Representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party questioned the chief minister's presence in the sealed area. The opposition said the visit was irregular and sought clarity on what occurred during the four-hour window [1].

Banerjee's actions in Bhabanipur reflect a broader pattern of scrutiny over electronic voting machines in Indian elections. The use of sealed strong rooms is designed to prevent unauthorized access, a protocol that the opposition suggests was compromised by the chief minister's visit [1].

“"Any plan to tamper with the counting process will not be tolerated."”

This incident underscores the deep mistrust between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP regarding the reliability of EVMs. By physically visiting the strong room, Banerjee is signaling a proactive—and controversial—attempt to ensure transparency, while the BJP is using the event to frame her as an interferer in the electoral process. The outcome of the Bhabanipur seat may now be viewed through the lens of this confrontation.