Mamata’s tampering charge: Between polling and counting, how EVMs are stored in strongrooms

Following the conclusion of polling for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections (phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026), questions were raised about t...

What Happened

Following the conclusion of polling for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections (phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026), questions were raised about the storage and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) between polling day and counting day (May 4, 2026).
The Election Commission of India (ECI) detailed its multi-layered EVM security protocol, which includes physical sealing, strong room storage, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) guard, 24-hour CCTV surveillance, and continuous multi-party oversight.
Candidates and their agents were permitted to station representatives outside strong rooms round-the-clock.
A new QR code-based Photo Identity Card system was used for the first time to control access at all counting centres.
The Election Commission dismissed claims of EVM tampering, citing the tamper-evident sealing and verification procedures.

Static Topic Bridges

The Election Commission of India: Constitutional Status and Powers

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the constitutional body responsible for superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State. It is established under Article 324 of the Constitution.

Article 324(1): The superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President shall be vested in the Election Commission.
Article 324(2): The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners as the President may from time to time fix.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) enjoys security of tenure equivalent to a Supreme Court judge — removal requires a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament with a special majority (like impeachment).
The Election Commissioners (other than CEC) can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the CEC.
The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Act, 2023 governs their appointment — the appointment committee comprises the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Cabinet Minister.

Connection to this news: The ECI's authority to prescribe EVM storage protocols, deploy CAPF, mandate CCTV surveillance, and adjudicate on tampering complaints all flow directly from Article 324's plenary superintendence power over election conduct.

How EVMs Work: Technical Architecture

An EVM consists of two units: the Ballot Unit (BU) and the Control Unit (CU), connected by a five-metre cable. The BU is placed inside the voting compartment; the CU is with the presiding officer. The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine is attached to the BU and prints a slip visible to the voter for 7 seconds.

EVMs are manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), both public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Atomic Energy respectively.
EVMs are standalone machines — they have no wireless or internet connectivity and cannot be hacked remotely.
OTP-based one-time programmable chips are used; the machine cannot be reprogrammed after manufacture.
VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail): introduced for all constituencies from 2019 General Elections; allows post-poll verification.
Form 17C: the presiding officer records the total number of votes polled on this form; counting agents verify this against the CU display on counting day.

Connection to this news: Understanding the technical architecture of EVMs — particularly their standalone, non-networked nature — is the starting point for evaluating any claims about tampering between polling and counting day.

EVM Strong Room Protocol: Layered Security Between Polling and Counting

After polling ends, EVMs go through a formally prescribed security chain before reaching counting day.

Post-poll sealing: After voting, the BU and CU are sealed using statutory seals in the presence of polling agents of candidates; agents sign on the seals, creating a verifiable tamper-evidence record.
Strong rooms: EVMs are transported to designated strong rooms — secure facilities within government buildings, typically district headquarters. Access is strictly controlled.
CAPF deployment: Central Armed Police Force personnel provide an inner security cordon; state police form an outer perimeter.
24x7 CCTV: Strong room entry points and corridors are under continuous CCTV coverage with digital video recorders (DVRs).
Multi-party vigil: Candidates and recognised political parties may station their own agents outside strong rooms round-the-clock throughout the storage period.
Strong room opening: The strong room is opened only in the presence of candidates' representatives and under videography; seals and serial numbers are first verified before counting begins.
The First Level Checking (FLC) of EVMs before elections is also done in the presence of technical experts and representatives of recognised parties.

Connection to this news: The tamper-evident sealing, constant CCTV surveillance, CAPF guarding, and multi-party monitoring make unauthorized access to stored EVMs practically and legally detectable — facts central to evaluating tampering allegations.

Model Code of Conduct and the Election Commission's Quasi-Judicial Powers

The Election Commission operates under both constitutional mandate (Article 324) and statutory framework (Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951). Between the announcement of elections and the formation of the new government, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force.

The Model Code of Conduct is not a statutory instrument but derives its force from the ECI's plenary power under Article 324.
Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Section 58A) empowers the Commission to countermand or adjourn polls in case of booth capturing.
Section 62 of the RPA 1951 governs the right to vote; Section 100 prescribes grounds for declaring an election void (including non-compliance with constitutional provisions going to the root of the election).
The ECI has quasi-judicial powers: it can adjudicate on election symbols disputes (Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968), recognise/derecognise parties, and disqualify candidates.

Connection to this news: When allegations of EVM tampering are raised formally, the ECI exercises its quasi-judicial function under Article 324 to investigate and respond; its response in the West Bengal case illustrates this institutional mechanism.

Key Facts & Data

Article 324: Constitutional basis for the Election Commission of India.
Article 324(2): Composition — Chief Election Commissioner + Election Commissioners.
EVMs manufactured by: BEL (Ministry of Defence) and ECIL (Department of Atomic Energy).
VVPAT introduced nationwide: 2019 General Elections.
Form 17C: Records total votes polled; key document for vote-count verification.
West Bengal 2026 elections: 294 seats; voting in two phases (April 23 and April 29, 2026); counting on May 4, 2026.
Strong room security: CAPF inner cordon + state police outer cordon + 24x7 CCTV + multi-party vigil.
Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Act, 2023: governs ECI appointments.
Representation of the People Act, 1951: statutory framework for conduct of elections.
QR code-based Photo ID system: used for the first time to regulate entry at counting centres in 2026 assembly elections.