The Election Commission has ordered repolling in 15 polling stations across West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies following complaints of irregularities during the April 29 voting. The affected booths include 11 in Magrahat Paschim and 4 in Diamond Harbour, where polling was declared void. Fresh voting will be conducted on May 2 between 7 am and 6 pm. The decision comes after reports of violence, alleged EVM tampering, and disruptions at polling stations. West Bengal witnessed a high voter turnout exceeding 90%, though the election process was marred by incidents in certain areas. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. (PC: PTI)

Kolkata Police imposed Section 163 near counting centres in Kolkata after clashes between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers. Gatherings are banned in seven areas. The move follows allegations of EVM tampering by TMC. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said there is “no scope for wrongdoing” and all strong rooms are sealed. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is “under surveillance”. Officials said strict security is in place before counting. (PC: PTI)

Police have banned gatherings in parts of Kolkata ahead of vote counting on May 4. The move follows clashes between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers near counting centres. Strong rooms storing EVMs have been heavily secured. Extra police and central forces have been deployed. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also visited a centre and stayed for hours. Officials denied claims of tampering. They said all EVMs are sealed and safe. Authorities said strict steps are needed to maintain peace during counting. (PC: ANI)

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, said strict vigil is in place at the Bhabanipur strongroom and claimed Mamata Banerjee is “under surveillance” after her late-night visit. He said a BJP polling agent was present to ensure transparency. Security has been increased at Netaji Indoor Stadium ahead of May 4 counting. The Trinamool Congress alleged ballot boxes were opened without authorised representatives and staged protests. The Election Commission denied the claims, saying procedures were followed. TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh raised concerns, while BJP leaders rejected the allegations and accused TMC of spreading misinformation. (PC: HT)

Tension rose in Kolkata after leaders of the Trinamool Congress staged a sit-in over alleged EVM tampering at a counting centre. Leaders claimed CCTV footage showed outsiders “fiddling with ballot papers”. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also visited a strongroom and raised concerns over possible malpractice. The Election Commission of India rejected the claims. Officials said staff were only segregating postal ballots as per rules. They added that strongrooms remained secure. Security was increased at key centres ahead of counting on May 4. (PC: The Hindu)

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has flagged as fake a viral document claiming to be an Intelligence Bureau assessment of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The report, titled “Preliminary Assessment of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026,” has been widely circulated on social media but has not been issued by the Intelligence Bureau, PIB clarified. The fact-check comes amid heightened political tension and competing narratives ahead of counting day. Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified sources and avoid sharing unconfirmed documents, as misinformation could influence public perception during a sensitive electoral process.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to closely monitor the situation in West Bengal after the Assembly election results on May 4, amid concerns over possible post-poll violence. The BJP has indicated that central forces will remain deployed for two months to maintain law and order. Party leaders have instructed workers to avoid aggression during celebrations, while also expressing fears of retaliation based on past incidents like the violence following the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021. Meanwhile, both BJP and All India Trinamool Congress leaders have exchanged warnings, raising tensions ahead of the results. 

Mamata Banerjee has alleged possible manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines in West Bengal, warning of a “life-and-death” struggle if irregularities occur during counting. She visited a strongroom in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur and urged party workers to maintain round-the-clock vigilance. The All India Trinamool Congress claims to have seen suspicious activity via CCTV, alleging collusion between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission of India. However, the poll body has firmly denied all allegations, stating strongrooms are secure and procedures followed. BJP leaders dismissed Banerjee’s claims as fear-driven “theatrics” ahead of the May 4 results.

The Election Commission of India has firmly denied allegations of EVM tampering in West Bengal, stating that all strongrooms remain “safe and secure.” Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal clarified that CCTV systems were fully operational and continuously monitored across all storage facilities. He explained that the only activity observed involved the authorised opening of a separate postal ballot room, conducted as per established procedures and with prior intimation to candidates. The clarification comes after the All India Trinamool Congress alleged unauthorised access to ballot boxes and collusion with the BJP. The EC maintained there is no irregularity or controversy.

A day after polling concluded in West Bengal, starkly different strategies emerged between the two main contenders. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party appeared confident, buoyed by favourable exit polls, with state chief Samik Bhattacharya engaging candidates and preparing for a possible victory. In contrast, the All India Trinamool Congress adopted a defensive posture, deploying workers to guard strongrooms and counting centres. Senior leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh staged protests alleging suspicious activity around EVM storage. The developments underscore deep political mistrust as both sides gear up for the crucial vote counting on May 4.