In the early hours of May 4, 2026, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised alarms over alleged security breaches at EVM strongrooms across the state, just hours before the scheduled commencement of vote counting. In a series of posts on X, she claimed that coordinated power cuts and CCTV shutdowns were occurring in locations including Serampore in Hooghly, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Aushgram in Burdwan, and Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata. She urged Trinamool Congress workers to maintain night-long vigilance, report suspicious activity, and demand access to surveillance footage, framing the situation as a threat to electoral integrity.

State Minister Shashi Panja, contesting from Shyampukur, shared a video showing a 'camera blackout' at the Khudiram Anushilini Stadium in Kolkata, a designated counting center. She confirmed that surveillance was restored following protests by TMC agents but questioned the cause of the repeated disruptions. Her post underscored the party’s heightened sensitivity to procedural irregularities, particularly in a high-stakes election where exit polls have projected a BJP lead. The Election Commission has not issued any official statement confirming technical failures or security lapses at the strongrooms.

The 2026 West Bengal assembly elections were conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results due for 293 of the 294 seats. A repoll has been ordered in the Falta constituency due to earlier reported irregularities, with its count scheduled for May 21. The 148-seat mark is required for a majority. Mamata Banerjee, seeking a historic fourth consecutive term, has expressed confidence in a massive mandate, even suggesting the TMC could win over 230 seats—a projection that contrasts sharply with five major exit polls forecasting a BJP majority.

Political observers note that allegations of electoral manipulation ahead of vote counting are not unprecedented in India’s competitive federal landscape, particularly in states where ruling parties face strong opposition from nationally dominant forces. The Election Commission maintains strict protocols for EVM security, including continuous CCTV monitoring, armed guarding, and tamper-proof sealing. While the TMC’s claims have not been independently verified, they reflect deep political distrust and the high stakes of the Bengal contest. The coming days will likely see intensified scrutiny of the counting process, with both parties mobilizing agents and legal teams on standby. The ECI’s ability to ensure a transparent and credible outcome will be critical not only for Bengal’s stability but for national confidence in India’s electoral institutions.