Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC) spent several hours guarding an Electronic Voting Machine strongroom in Kolkata on Friday, April 10, 2026 [1].
The incident highlights deepening distrust between West Bengal's primary political factions regarding the integrity of the 2026 state election [3].
The confrontation began when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission opened ballot boxes inside the strongroom without party representatives present [2]. The TMC said the parties tampered with EVMs [2]. The Election Commission said the claim of tampering was rejected [2].
This dispute led to a tense standoff between TMC and BJP workers at the facility [1]. During the unrest, Banerjee remained inside the strongroom for a period reported between three [1] and four hours [3].
The standoff occurred as the state prepared for the final stages of the election cycle. The BJP has promoted a 15-point election manifesto titled “Sonar Bangla” [4]. The tension at the strongroom comes ahead of the official counting day, which is scheduled for May 4, 2026 [3].
Security forces were present in Kolkata to manage the crowds of party workers who locked horns during the dispute [1]. The Election Commission has not issued further statements regarding the specific security protocols of the Kolkata facility following the sit-in [2].
“Mamata Banerjee spent several hours guarding an Electronic Voting Machine strongroom in Kolkata”
The physical presence of a sitting Chief Minister at an EVM strongroom underscores a critical breakdown in trust between the state government and the Election Commission. By personally guarding the machines, Banerjee is signaling to her base that the electoral process is vulnerable to interference, which may influence public perception of the results before the May 4 counting date.
