West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered an electronic voting machine strongroom at midnight on May 1 to allege the machines were tampered with [1].
The incident occurs just days before the official announcement of election results, raising questions about the security of the voting process in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
Banerjee arrived at the facility around midnight [2] and remained inside for approximately four hours [1]. During her visit, she alleged that the electronic voting machines had not been sealed properly and suggested there were security lapses [3].
"They have not sealed the EVM properly," Banerjee said [4].
The Chief Minister's presence at the center sparked a reaction from political opponents. Suvendu Adhikari said that Banerjee was being kept under surveillance during her time in the facility [5].
Banerjee described the situation as a critical struggle, stating she is engaged in a life-and-death fight [3]. The drama unfolded in the Bhabanipur constituency of Kolkata, where the machines are stored until the results are announced on May 4, 2026 [2].
Security protocols for strongrooms typically restrict access to authorized personnel to prevent interference with the machines. The allegation that seals were missing suggests a breach in those protocols, though officials have not yet confirmed the claims [1].
“"They have not sealed the EVM properly."”
The allegation of improperly sealed voting machines by a sitting Chief Minister creates a high-stakes tension ahead of the May 4 results. If these claims of tampering are validated, it could lead to legal challenges regarding the legitimacy of the Bhabanipur outcome and potentially trigger widespread protests or demands for audits in other constituencies.
