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EC dismisses TMC tampering claims after Kolkata strongroom drama: No CCTV switched off, live footage shared
West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer rejected tampering allegations, stating no CCTV was switched off and live feeds of strongrooms were accessible to all parties. TMC had accused the BJP and EC of attempting to open ballot boxes, prompting protests and a late-night briefing ahead of vote counting.
Why It Matters
The case highlights concerns about transparency and monitoring in strongrooms ahead of vote counting, testing trust in the electoral process.
Timeline
3 Events
EC dismisses tampering claims; calls for orderly vote counting
April 30, 2026
In response to the allegations, the Election Commission said there would be no law and order situation and that such concerns are not uncommon. It asserted that counting would be carried out in a 100% neat and clean manner and that the EC was fully prepared to follow all procedures for vote counting.
WB CEO briefing on CCTV status and live footage
April 29, 2026
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said no CCTV cameras were switched off at the strong rooms and that live footage from all eight strong rooms (seven with EVMs and one for postal ballots) was being continuously telecast. He added that party representatives were allowed to monitor from beyond the three-layer security, and that three candidates who visited after 4 pm observed the sealed EVM rooms and the open postal-ballot room before leaving.
TMC protests and CCTV allegations near Kolkata strong room
April 29, 2026
TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh staged a dharna outside the strong room at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, alleging that BJP in collusion with election officials attempted to open ballot boxes in the absence of relevant party representatives. The party also shared CCTV footage they claimed showed activity inside the strong room.