Assembly election 2026 updates: TMC stages sit-in outside EVM strongroom in Kolkata alleging irregularities

Home News India TMC sources said that CM Mamata Banerjee was also heading to the centre to take stock of the situation in the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra Updated - April 30, 2026 09:25 pm IST Screengrab from a video posted by @AITCofficial on April 30, 2026, allegedly showing CCTV footage of BJP workers opening ballot boxes in an EVM storeroom. | In West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that exit poll projections were aired at the “instruction of the BJP” to demoralise her party workers, even as she asserted that the ruling party would win more than 226 seats in the Assembly polls.Several exit polls on Wednesday (April 29, 2026) predicted a clear majority for the BJP in Assam and an edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years. Almost all forecast a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry.The Election Commission is actively looking into demands for repolling in 77 booths across four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district after the second phase of West Bengal elections held on April 29, an official said on Thursday (April 30, 2026). Demands for repolling are generally made by political parties, candidates, polling agents, or even observers, citing specific irregularities such as EVM malfunction, booth capturing, intimidation, or violation of the secrecy of voting.There was a record turnout of 92.65% in the second and final phase of polling for the West Bengal Assembly election on Wednesday (April 29, 2026), amidst isolated incidents of unrest and violence. Read: An SIR-marred turnout in West BengalThe counting of votes for all the five Assemblies, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Assam, will be taken up on May 4. Polls were conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. West Bengal saw two-phase polling on April 23 and 29. On April 9, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry went to polls. Tamil Nadu went to polls on April 23. April 30, 2026 21:14 TMC stages sit-in outside EVM strongroom in Kolkata alleging irregularitiesHours after party supremo Mamata Banerjee urged TMC leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil over strongrooms housing EVMs, party candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra on Thursday, alleging irregular activities inside the facility.The protest came a day after the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, following which EVMs were stored in strongrooms at the centre.Meanwhile, TMC sources said that the CM was also heading to the centre to take stock of the situation.- PTIApril 30, 2026 20:18 Palaniswami rejects exit polls; says AIADMK will win in 210 constituencies Rejecting the exit polls most of which forecast a victory for the DMK-led alliance in the recently conducted Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday said expressed hope his party would win in 210 constituencies.Palaniswami rejects exit polls; says AIADMK will win in 210 constituenciesPalaniswami dismisses exit polls, asserting AIADMK will win 210 constituencies and form the government in Tamil Nadu.April 30, 2026 18:10 ECI introduces QR-based identity cards for counting centres on May 4 to check unauthorised entry The system will be implemented on counting day for the Assembly polls in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as well as for bypolls in seven Assembly constituencies across five Atates. It will later be extended to all Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the poll authority said.ECI introduces QR-based identity cards for counting centres on May 4 to check unauthorised entryECI implements QR-based identity cards on May 4 to enhance security and prevent unauthoriz