As the counting day for the West Bengal Assembly elections on May 4, 2026 approaches, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified their accusations regarding security and counting procedures. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien has raised concerns about the handling of postal ballots at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra strong room, claiming that Election Commission personnel sorted ballots without the presence of candidates or their representatives, violating the Election Commission of India (ECI) Handbook. O’Brien has requested that authorized representatives be allowed access to CCTV footage and the strong room. In response, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized the deployment of contractual workers for counting duties, arguing that it undermines the integrity of the democratic process. He emphasized that such positions are susceptible to political influence and lack accountability. Meanwhile, repolling is ongoing in several booths in the South 24 Parganas district, adding to the electoral tension as the counting day nears.