Tension gripped parts of Kolkata ahead of the vote counting process as security was significantly increased around Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongrooms. The move came after a night of political unrest triggered by allegations from the Trinamool Congress regarding suspicious activities at certain counting centres.
To maintain order and prevent further escalation, the Kolkata Police imposed strict prohibitory orders in seven sensitive areas linked to counting centres. These locations include Sahid Khudiram Bose Road, Judge’s Court Road, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour Road, Lord Sinha Hall, Naresh Mitra Sarani (Beltala Road), and Pramathesh Barua Sarani. Public gatherings and protests have been banned in these zones to ensure a peaceful counting process.
The unrest began late at night when leaders and supporters of the Trinamool Congress raised concerns about alleged irregularities inside counting premises. The situation intensified outside the Netaji Indoor Stadium, where workers of both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party confronted each other. Slogans were raised, and a brief standoff occurred, creating a tense atmosphere in the area.
Senior Trinamool leaders, including Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja, staged protests near the entrance of the counting centre, demanding transparency. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also visited the vicinity of a strongroom at the Shakhawat Memorial counting centre, further highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
However, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, dismissed all allegations made by the ruling party. He clarified that the EVM strongrooms located at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra were securely sealed following proper protocols. According to him, representatives from all political parties, including both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, were present during the sealing process, ensuring transparency and adherence to election guidelines.
Agarwal explained that the confusion arose due to the sorting of postal ballots, which was being conducted in dim lighting conditions. Since power connections are not permitted inside strongrooms, officials used torchlight for the process. This activity was misinterpreted by Trinamool leaders as suspicious behavior.
He further assured that all postal ballots and EVMs are safe, properly locked, and under constant surveillance. Election officials had also informed party representatives in advance about the ongoing procedures through official communication channels.
Following these clarifications, the protesting Trinamool leaders withdrew their agitation and left the site. Authorities remain on high alert to prevent any further disturbances and to ensure that the counting process proceeds smoothly and transparently.The incident reflects the high-stakes political environment surrounding elections in West Bengal, where even minor misunderstandings can quickly escalate into major confrontations.
