The situation intensified when BJP’s Maniktala candidate Tapas Roy, along with Santosh Pathak from Chowrangee, confronted senior police officials, questioning why the TMC supporters were permitted to gather and protest at such a sensitive location.
Amid heavy rains, supporters from both sides shouted “Jai Bangla” and “Jai Shree Ram” slogans, complicating the security forces’ efforts to maintain order during the tense post-poll atmosphere.
TMC leaders claimed that live-streamed CCTV footage indicated the presence of unauthorized individuals inside the strong rooms tampering with ballot papers.
However, the Election Commission dismissed these allegations, asserting that poll officials were engaged in the appropriate process of segregating postal ballots and that the strongrooms remained secure.
“Party workers and supporters were outside the strongroom until 3:30 PM. Suddenly, we received an email saying it would reopen at 4 PM. When we contacted our workers, they said they had already left. Now, we are being barred from entry while the BJP is let in,” Ghosh, the TMC candidate from Beleghata, explained.
“Ballot papers are being moved inside. Yet, the CEO claims nothing is happening. If postal ballots are being processed, where did they come from? Why weren’t we informed about the email?” he added.
The protesting leaders eventually left the site, asserting that officials had guaranteed stronger security protocols would be implemented.
“The strong rooms have been locked, and additional CCTV cameras will be set up. Their live streams will be viewable from outside. With this assurance, we are departing,” Ghosh stated.
These events unfolded the day after West Bengal’s final phase of polling and just hours following a video message from TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, who urged party leaders, workers, and polling agents to remain vigilant over strongrooms housing EVMs, suspecting BJP plans to tamper with machines before the counting began on May 4.
“You must safeguard the counting centres. If necessary, I will come to protect my area. Candidates need to watch over themselves and stay alert. If I can do this, so can you. There’s a plan to alter machines during their transport. Take this seriously,” she warned.
Panja, contesting from Shyampukur constituency, also raised concerns about the procedure, stating, “The strongroom is extremely sensitive. If it opens, all political parties must be notified. Why was there no communication?” In a post on X, the TMC condemned the situation as a “murder of democracy in broad daylight,” accusing the BJP of colluding with the Election Commission to manipulate ballot boxes and EVMs during the election.
The party released a strongly worded statement claiming that CCTV footage demonstrated ballot boxes being opened without authorized party representatives present, labeling it as “gross electoral fraud.”
Additionally, the TMC alleged that previous attempts, including voter intimidation and name deletions, had failed, prompting the BJP to resort to “desperate measures” like tampering with EVMs.
“CCTV footage has revealed how @BJP4India, in active collusion with the @ECISVEEP, is opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders. This is gross electoral fraud committed with the full knowledge and protection of the Election Commission,” the TMC stated.
BJP representatives at the scene accused the TMC of “fabricating a false narrative.”
“Upon hearing about the disturbance, I rushed here and found TMC supporters shouting outside, which is unacceptable in a sensitive area like this. They shouldn’t have been allowed to gather. I heard the District Election Officer brought the TMC candidates inside to demonstrate that everything was fine in the strong rooms,” Roy remarked.
Rejecting the TMC’s assertions, an Election Commission official stated, “There are seven Assembly Constituency-wise strongrooms at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, all of which have been closed and sealed with candidates, their election agents, and the general observer present after polling ended.” The final strongroom was sealed around 5:15 AM on Thursday, he emphasized.
“All strongrooms containing polled EVMs are securely locked and sealed,” the official affirmed.
The EC clarified that a separate strongroom within the same facility is allocated for postal ballots, where AC-specific polled ballots, including those handled through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETBPS), have been stored.
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“We had informed all observers and returning officers (ROs), and instructed ROs to communicate with candidates and their agents effectively. Political parties were also notified via email,” he added.
Addressing the activity observed in the alleged video, the official elaborated that “segregation of ballots was occurring in the corridor outside the strong rooms from 4 PM, in accordance with the prescribed process.” Reiterating security measures, the official stated that the arrangements were shown to party leaders, including TMC’s Panja, Ghosh, and BJP’s Pathak.
The commission stressed that all protocols have been followed diligently and urged the public to refrain from being misled by unverified social media content.
