Mamata Seeks CCTV Footage of Bengal Constituencies, Alleges Poll Irregularities

Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has demanded that CCTV footage from every constituency in the state be preserved, alleging irregularities during the counting process of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on October 1, Banerjee alleged that TMC agents were prevented from entering counting areas and claimed that CCTV cameras had been blocked. She also alleged that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were hacked. These claims were made by Banerjee and have not been established as facts in the report.

Mamata claims TMC was leading by 53,000 votes

Banerjee said the TMC had been leading by 53,000 votes before what she described as a change in the counting process.

She alleged that security personnel blocked access to the counting area and that party agents were removed. Banerjee also called for CCTV footage from all constituencies to remain intact so that the counting process could be examined.

Banerjee alleges CCTV cameras were blocked

According to Banerjee, CCTV cameras were blocked during the counting process. She questioned where the footage was and demanded that recordings from every constituency be preserved.

She further alleged that the counting process was effectively taken over after the second or third round. These statements represent Banerjee's allegations and are not presented here as independently established findings.

Attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Banerjee also renewed her criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, referring to him as “Vanish Kumar” during her remarks.

She accused the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls, EVMs and counting of compromising the electoral process and called for Kumar's removal.

Claim concerning voter deletions

Banerjee also raised the issue of voter deletions in West Bengal. She claimed that around 92 lakh voters had been affected in the state and alleged that constituencies won by the TMC had seen higher numbers of deletions.

The allegations were made in the context of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has become a major political issue in West Bengal.

What the Election Commission results show

The Election Commission of India's published results for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election record results for all 293 constituencies. The BJP won 207 seats, while the TMC won 80 seats. The remaining seats were won by other parties and candidates.

These official results establish the declared constituency outcomes, while the allegations raised by Banerjee concern the conduct of the electoral and counting process.

Opposition parties announce further action

The developments came after opposition parties held discussions in New Delhi concerning the SIR process and allegations of electoral irregularities.

According to the Moneycontrol report, opposition parties planned joint marches and rallies, including a proposed march by opposition MPs to the Election Commission on October 6. The group also planned to meet the President and pursue matters concerning SIR and alleged electoral malpractice.

Investigation and political dispute continue

The allegations over CCTV footage, EVMs, voter deletions and the counting process remain part of an ongoing political dispute over the 2026 West Bengal election.

Banerjee has called for preservation of election-related CCTV footage and continued to demand action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that differences of opinion within an institution can occur and that its orders have legal and statutory backing.

Any determination about the specific allegations would require evidence and findings from the relevant electoral, judicial or other competent authorities.