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Mamata Banerjee accuses central forces of escorting criminals to EVM strong rooms
Mamata Banerjee alleged that central forces cut power to EVM strong rooms and escorted criminals to those sites to capture EVMs during the first phase of West Bengal elections. The state CEO countered that all EVMs were safe and strongrooms locked. The article also notes upcoming events around the second phase, including a Modi roadshow in Bhabanipur and the campaigning deadline.
Why It Matters
The claims touch on election security and the integrity of EVM handling, a central issue in electoral transparency debates.
Timeline
6 Events
Bhabanipur among seats in second phase on April 29
April 26, 2026
Bhabanipur is among the 142 of 294 seats that would go to polls in the second and final phase across seven south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, on April 29.
Campaigning for second phase ends
April 26, 2026
The campaign for the second phase was set to end at 6 pm on Monday, April 27, 2026.
PM Modi to lead BJP roadshow in Banerjee's Bhabanipur
April 26, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to lead the last BJP roadshow on Monday in Banerjee’s Bhabanipur constituency.
State CEO responds: EVMs safe; strongrooms locked
April 26, 2026
Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the state chief electoral officer, said all EVMs are safe and the strongrooms are kept under lock and key with double-checked security.
Banerjee alleges central forces escorting criminals to EVM strong rooms
April 26, 2026
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that central forces cut power to strong rooms housing EVMs and escorted criminals to those locations to capture EVMs, with faces reportedly covered and a suggestion that the Election Commission of India remained silent.
First phase polling conducted in West Bengal
April 23, 2026
The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections took place in districts that went to polls on April 23.