Mamata, Abhishek to brief TMC counting agents in mega virtual meet ahead of May 4 results

The Trinamool Congress is intensifying its preparations ahead of vote counting on May 4, with party chief Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee set to address a mega virtual meeting of counting agents on Saturday. The session, scheduled for the afternoon, will involve agents from all 291 Assembly constituencies, underscoring the party’s focus on ensuring strict vigilance during the counting process.

According to party inputs, the meeting is expected to lay down detailed guidelines on the responsibilities of counting agents at counting centres. The leadership will emphasise close monitoring of every round of counting, verification of EVMs and VVPATs, and immediate action protocols in case of any discrepancies, including filing complaints with the Returning Officer.

Abhishek Banerjee is likely to deliver a technical briefing, described within the party as a “masterclass”, drawing from recent electoral experiences. He is expected to guide agents on checking EVM seals, matching figures with Form 17C, and understanding each stage of the counting procedure to minimise errors and strengthen oversight on counting day.

The heightened preparedness is being seen as a strategic response to concerns over potential disputes or irregularities during counting. The party leadership believes that even minor lapses at this stage can lead to controversies, and aims to equip agents with both procedural clarity and confidence after months of campaigning.

This marks Mamata Banerjee’s direct involvement in such a coordination effort during the election cycle, signalling the importance the party is attaching to counting day. The clear message within the organisation is that the electoral contest extends beyond polling, and concludes only with the final declaration of results and securing of victory certificates.