Leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including Bengal minister Shashi Panja and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, initiated a sit-in protest outside an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongroom at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, alleging that ballot boxes were being opened without authorized party representatives. The protest arose after reports of unusual activity inside the sealed strongroom, which holds EVMs for several Assembly constituencies in north Kolkata. The TMC accused the BJP and Election Commission officials of misconduct. BJP leader Tapas Roy dismissed the allegations as 'pure rumors' aimed at creating fear among voters. The Election Commission confirmed that all strongrooms are securely sealed and that counting for the 294-seat Assembly election will begin on May 4 under heavy security. The TMC's concerns were heightened following a video message from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warning party workers about potential EVM tampering. In anticipation of post-result tensions, the Election Commission has deployed 700 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces across West Bengal to ensure security.