Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged irregularities in the counting process of the 2026 Assembly elections, claiming that vote counting had been halted at several centres and accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) and central forces of bias.
In a video message, Banerjee urged her party’s counting agents to remain at counting venues and not lose hope. “Do not lose heart, we will win after sundown,” she said, asserting that her party was ahead in over 100 seats but the figures were not being accurately reported.
She alleged that the ECI was functioning arbitrarily and claimed that central forces, along with local police, were acting in coordination against the TMC. Banerjee also accused authorities of deliberately stopping counting at certain locations to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Counting agents and candidates should not leave the centres. This is part of a plan. Counting has been stopped at many places,” she said, while also alleging discrepancies in electronic voting machines at some locations.
Her remarks came as early trends showed the BJP crossing the majority mark in the 294-member Assembly. According to ECI data, the BJP was leading in 187 seats, while the TMC was ahead in 92 constituencies, indicating a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, BJP supporters gathered outside Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata, raising slogans as the party maintained a comfortable lead.
The elections witnessed record voter participation, with 93.19 per cent turnout in Phase I and 91.66 per cent in Phase II, taking the overall polling to 92.47 per cent—the highest since independence.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC had secured a dominant victory with 213 seats, while the BJP had won 77 seats to emerge as the principal opposition.
Authorities have not yet responded to the allegations, and counting continues across the state.
