EVM Row & BJP-TMC Standoff: EC Slashes Number of Bengal Counting Centres Again Just Days Before Results

New Delhi: In a move that has sparked intense condemnation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Election Commission has significantly slashed the number of counting centers in West Bengal to 77. This sudden administrative shift comes with just 48 hours remaining before the Assembly election results are tallied.

This reduction, cutting ten centers from the originally planned 87, was confirmed in an official statement on Friday, just days before the final tally.

The officials, however, remained tight-lipped regarding the motives behind the reduction, as per reports. Reportedly, CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal pointed out that the count of centers for West Bengal’s 294 seats had previously been slashed from 108 to 87 about a fortnight ago.

While Agarwal is slated to personally visit various locations, the poll panel decision to revise the number of venues so close to counting day has drawn sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress.

West Bengal Poll Drama 

Political tensions in Bengal reached a boiling point late Thursday night as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conducted a high-stakes inspection of the Bhabanipur strongroom in Kolkata. 

As per reports, the facility houses the electronic voting machines (EVM) for the Bhabanipur Assembly segment, where the TMC supremo is in a high-stakes contest against the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.

During the visit, she issued a defiant warning, asserting that her party would thwart any attempts to manipulate electronic voting machines (EVMs). This late-night intervention came amid Trinamool Congress’s mounting concerns over potential electronic voting machines (EVM) tampering, punctuated by a sit-in protest staged by party supporters.

With only 48 hours remaining until the decisive vote count for the Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged that the BJP "in active collusion" with the Election Commission "is opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders" and said "this is the murder of democracy in broad daylight," shortly after the second and final phase of polling concluded in the state.

Claiming that her party received reports of EVM tampering in many parts of the state, Banerjee said, “There is a strong room here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place. When I saw the CCTV on TV, I thought I should also go and see it. Initially, the Central Forces wouldn't let me enter. But according to our election rules, the candidate and election agent of any party are allowed up to the sealed room.” 

Asserting that TMC is facing a biased stance from the Election Commission of India, CM Banerjee said, “Our agent has been arrested; there has been so much one-sidedness. Even after that, if someone tries to steal the EVM machine, if someone tries to steal the counting, then we will fight life and death together.”

TMC vs BJP

While most exit polls have predicted BJP ousting the TMC in West Bengal, both parties have locked horn over EVM tampering issue.

Banerjee on Thursday levelled serious allegations against the BJP over the exit poll projections, calling it paid and "circulated from the BJP office." Affirming confidence in the public, she said that TMC will cross "226 in 2026."

She alleged that the BJP wanted to suppress the people of Bengal and reiterated the allegation of the Centre controlling various agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Income Tax department.

"I want to reassure you. What is being shown on TV was circulated from the BJP office yesterday, and they have used money to ensure it is shown. I have specific information; I received it through some press media. That information clearly shows they are saying, 'You have to do this forcefully, forcefully. You cannot get into this.'Do you know the real reason? We could get 200-300 seats. We will cross 226 in 2026. I have full faith, belief, and confidence in the people who have voted in such large numbers. And they did this through the press yesterday--through Godi media--because, as you know, they threaten everyone: ED, CBI, income tax," she claimed.

Tearing into Mamata, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla dismissed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent statements as a "panic" response to exit polls, accusing the TMC of fabricating excuses and allegations to distract from an impending electoral defeat.

Speaking to ANI, Poonawala said, "Ever since the exit polls have come and it is becoming clear that for the first time BJP is going to form the government in Bengal and TMC is going to face a huge defeat, they are trying to divert attention, they are doing drama... TMC is trying to make excuses even before losing... They have been making many kinds of allegations because they are in panic."

BJP Workers Block TMC Vehicle

In a fresh face-off in Bhabanipur, BJP workers blocked a TMC vehicle on Thursday, alleging the transport of suspicious items and further fueling regional political tensions.

One of the workers claimed that the vehicle was transporting something questionable and insisted that it would not be allowed to move.

"There is something in the vehicle. Mamata Banerjee has brought something in her vehicle. The vehicle will not be allowed to move," he said. 

West Bengal Polls

Most exit polls have predicted a BJP ousting the TMC in West Bengal, which has been in power for the last 15 years. Chanakya Strategies projected the BJP winning 150-160 seats in 294 West Bengal assembly and getting a majority of its own. It said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) would win 30-40 seats and others six to 10 seats.

According to the Election Commission of India, Phase II recorded 91.66 per cent participation till 7.45 pm, while Phase I on April 23 saw 93.19 percent. 

The combined turnout across both phases stood at 92.47 per cent, the highest since Independence. The previous record was 84.72 percent in the 2011 Assembly elections. Further, the female voters led the turnout at 92.28 percent, with male voters at 91.07 percent.

The Election Commission confirmed that counting for the 294-seat Assembly election will begin on May 4 under heavy security arrangements.