West Bengal is scheduled to undergo the assembly election in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026, with the counting of votes set for May 4.
While the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) eyes a consecutive
term, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to gain power, citing issues such as alleged corruption, poor governance, violence, and the need for development and change.
Over 7.3 crore voters will lock the fate of candidates across 294 assembly constituencies in Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
Ever wondered what actually happens inside an EVM when you cast your vote and how it ensures that every vote is counted exactly as intended? Let’s dive deeper.
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How EVMs Work
An EVM mainly has two parts: the Ballot Unit and the Control Unit.
The Ballot Unit is placed inside the voting compartment where the voter goes to cast their vote. It contains a list of candidates along with their party symbols and a blue button next to each name.
The Control Unit is handled by the polling officers sitting outside. When a voter’s turn comes, the officer presses a button on the Control Unit to allow one vote. Then the voter goes inside and presses the button for their chosen candidate.
A small beep sound confirms that the vote has been recorded.
In recent years, an additional device called VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) has been attached to EVMs. When a voter presses a button, a small slip is printed inside the VVPAT machine showing the name and symbol of the chosen candidate. This slip is visible to the voter through a transparent window for a few seconds before it drops into a sealed box. This helps voters feel confident that their vote has been recorded correctly.
What Happens After Voting?
In West Bengal, like in other states, EVMs are transported and stored under tight security. Before voting begins, mock polls are conducted in front of polling agents from different political parties to show that the machines are working properly and are not pre-loaded with votes.
After the voting ends, the machines are sealed and taken to strong rooms, where they are guarded until counting day.
On the day of counting, the Control Units are opened in the presence of officials and party representatives. The votes recorded inside are then displayed digitally and counted quickly. In some cases, VVPAT slips are also counted randomly to cross-check the results.
Overall, EVMs in West Bengal are meant to ensure that elections are efficient, reduce errors compared to paper ballots, and maintain transparency through checks like VVPAT and strict monitoring at every stage.
