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Mamata Banerjee spends nearly four hours at Bengal EVM strongroom amid tampering allegations
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the EVM strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur after the final-phase polling, staying inside for about four hours while alleging EVM tampering by the Opposition. She claimed access restrictions by central forces and said candidates have a right to visit outside a sealed room, ahead of the May 4 assembly results.
Why It Matters
The episode highlights ongoing tensions over EVM integrity and pre-result politics in West Bengal, with implications for public trust and the election process as results approach.
Timeline
2 Events
Banerjee remains inside strongroom past midnight, ends visit
May 1, 2026
The visit extended into the early hours, with Banerjee remaining inside the EVM strongroom for about four hours and ending around 12:07 am on May 1, 2026. She later spoke to PTI, saying she had come to inspect the strongroom because manipulations were seen elsewhere, and that central forces had restricted her access. She claimed candidates are allowed to visit outside the sealed room and stated that if manipulation is found, they will fight.
Banerjee arrives at EVM strongroom and enters as candidate
April 30, 2026
On the night of April 30, 2026, just after the final-phase voting concluded, Mamata Banerjee arrived at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur, Kolkata, which houses an EVM strongroom. She entered the premises as a candidate and was reported to have remained inside for several hours, as part of a visit she described as 'taking stock' after watching developments on television. She indicated manipulations had been observed and referenced restrictions reported by central forces, asserting a right for candidates to visit outside the sealed room.