Kolkata Police impose prohibitory orders near counting centres ahead of May 4 vote count
Synopsis
With West Bengal's high-stakes Assembly poll count just days away, Kolkata Police have locked down a 200-metre perimeter around all counting centres — a direct response to dramatic EVM tampering allegations by both TMC and BJP leaders that triggered a tense standoff at two Kolkata strong-room venues.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders from 1 May barring gatherings of more than 5 persons within 200 metres of all counting centres.
Vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly polls is scheduled for 4 May .
Both EVM strong-room venues — Khudiram Anushilan Kendra and Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' School — are under three-tier security cover .
TMC leaders including Mamata Banerjee and BJP leaders both alleged EVM and postal ballot tampering at the strong-room sites.
Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal dismissed the tampering allegations with supporting documents.
Vehicular movement is restricted within 200 metres of both strong-room sites; valid ID cards are mandatory for entry.
Kolkata Police have imposed prohibitory orders barring the assembly of more than five persons within a 200-metre radius of all counting centres under their jurisdiction from Friday, 1 May, ahead of the crucial vote count on 4 May for the recently concluded two-phase West Bengal Assembly polls.
What the Prohibitory Orders Cover
The restrictions prohibit gatherings of more than five persons in the prescribed zones around all counting centres. Additionally, city police have barred the carrying of certain items not approved by the Election Commission of India (ECI) within the same zones.
"The prohibitory order has been issued to avoid tension, gatherings, protests or any unpleasant incidents before the counting. The decision has been taken as per the direction of the Election Commission of India. Strong legal action will be taken against those found violating the prohibitory orders," a Kolkata Police officer said.
EVM Strong-Rooms Under Three-Tier Security
Security arrangements have been significantly reinforced at two Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strong-room venues in Kolkata — one at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in central Kolkata and the other at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' School on Lord Sinha Road in south Kolkata. Both sites have been placed under a three-tier security cover from Friday morning.
Vehicular movement has been restricted within a 200-metre radius of both strong-room sites. Persons entering the restricted zone are required to carry valid identity cards. Heavy steel guard rails have also been installed at both locations to prevent any unauthorised access.
What Triggered the Security Escalation
The heightened security follows an evening-long standoff on Thursday in front of both EVM strong-room venues. Tension first broke out on Wednesday at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra after West Bengal Minister Dr Shashi Panja and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) state General Secretary Kunal Ghosh arrived at the site with supporters, alleging EVM and postal ballot tampering inside the facility.
The situation escalated further when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, led by Tapas Roy and Santosh Pathak, arrived at the spot. Kolkata Police and central forces personnel had a difficult time restoring order.
Mamata Banerjee's Allegations and Official Rebuttal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee subsequently arrived at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' School and raised similar allegations of EVM and postal ballot tampering inside the strong-room. Her visit added to the political temperature surrounding the count.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, subsequently dismissed the allegations, presenting supporting documents to counter the claims. This is not the first time EVM tampering allegations have surfaced in the run-up to a high-stakes West Bengal election count, reflecting a recurring pattern of pre-result political brinkmanship in the state.
What Happens Next
With vote counting scheduled for 4 May, authorities are expected to maintain the elevated security posture at all counting and strong-room venues. Any further escalation in political activity around these sites could prompt additional restrictions under ECI guidelines. All eyes will be on whether the prohibitory orders hold and whether the count proceeds without incident.
Point of View
But the political theatre that prompted them is telling. Both TMC and BJP descending on EVM strong-rooms with supporters — before a single vote has been counted — signals that the real contest in West Bengal is as much about narrative control as electoral arithmetic. Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal's swift rebuttal with documents is the correct institutional response, but it rarely extinguishes the allegation in the public mind. The deeper concern is whether this pre-count brinkmanship, now a near-ritual in West Bengal elections, undermines voter confidence in the process regardless of outcome.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders near counting centres?
Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders to prevent tension, protests, or unpleasant incidents ahead of the West Bengal Assembly poll vote count on 4 May 2025. The orders bar gatherings of more than five persons within 200 metres of all counting centres and were issued as per ECI directions.
When is the West Bengal Assembly poll vote count scheduled?
The vote count for the recently concluded two-phase West Bengal Assembly polls is scheduled for 4 May 2025. Prohibitory orders around counting centres came into effect from 1 May.
What triggered the security escalation at Kolkata's EVM strong-rooms?
Tension erupted on Wednesday when TMC leaders including Dr Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh arrived at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra alleging EVM and postal ballot tampering. BJP leaders subsequently arrived at the same site, leading to a standoff. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later raised similar allegations at a second venue.
Were the EVM tampering allegations verified?
No. Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, dismissed the EVM and postal ballot tampering allegations and presented supporting documents to counter the claims.
What security measures are in place at the EVM strong-rooms?
Both EVM strong-room venues in Kolkata are under three-tier security cover with vehicular movement restricted within 200 metres. Heavy steel guard rails have been installed and persons entering the restricted zone must carry valid identity cards.
