Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: Drama over EVM tampering claim at Kolkata counting centre as TMC stages sit-in; EC dismisses charge
2026-05-01·via The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.
The Calcutta HC has dismissed a plea challenging the Election Commission’s directive to deploy central government and PSU employees for vote counting in the West Bengal Assembly elections
Updated - May 01, 2026 09:00 am IST
Security personnel stand guard outside Strong Room following the conclusion of Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly election 2026, in Kolkata on April 30, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Tension prevailed at central Kolkata’s Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, the counting centre for several north and east Kolkata Assembly constituencies housing EVM strong rooms, after TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest outside the premises alleging electoral malpractice and tampering of the vote machines. The TMC leaders alleged that Live-streamed footage from CCTV cameras revealed the presence of outsiders inside the strong rooms who were “fiddling with ballot papers” from the machines.
The Election Commission, however, dismissed the claim regarding the handling of polled materials at the centre, stating that poll officials were engaged in the task of segregating postal ballots as per due process and the strongrooms remained secure. Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee landed up at the counting centre for the Bhabanipur Assembly segment, suspecting malpractice and tampering of the voting machines.
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has dismissed a plea challenging the Election Commission’s directive to deploy central government and PSU employees for vote counting in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
(With PTI inputs)
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May 01, 2026 09:00
ECI introduces new QR code-based ID cards for counting centres
The Election Commission on Thursday (April 30, 2026) introduced a QR code-based photo identity card system to eliminate the possibility of any unauthorised persons entering counting centres.
After its introduction during the counting to be held on May 4 for the Assembly elections of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and the byelections in seven Assembly constituencies across five States, the system will be extended to all future general and byelections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the EC said in a statement.
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ECI introduces QR-based identity cards for counting centres on May 4 to check unauthorised entry
ECI implements QR-based identity cards on May 4 to enhance security and prevent unauthorized entry at counting centres.
May 01, 2026 08:59
Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early on Friday (May 1, 2026) warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Ms. Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 a.m. after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
