NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has mandated repolling at 15 polling stations across two constituencies in West Bengal following the April 29 Assembly elections. Fresh polling is scheduled for May 2 from 7 am to 6 pm in the South 24 Parganas district, encompassing 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour.
The decision, as reported by the Election Commission, came after assessments from returning officers and election observers declared the initial voting at these booths void under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Authorities are tasked with ensuring extensive publicity regarding the repoll, including notifications to candidates and local voters.
According to a directive from West Bengal’s chief electoral officer, “I am directed to state that based on reports received from the concerned Returning Officers and the Observers of 142-Magrahat Paschim AC and 143-Diamond Harbour AC regarding the poll conducted for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, 2026, held on April 29, 2026, and after considering all relevant factors, the Commission hereby declares… that the poll taken… to be void and appoints May 2, 2026, as the date… for taking fresh poll.”
Additionally, the Election Commission stated, “The widest possible publicity should be given by beating of drums in the polling area, and contesting candidates should be informed in writing about the fresh poll being taken on the said date.”
This action follows allegations of irregularities during voting, particularly in the Diamond Harbour’s Falta segment. Amit Malviya, BJP co-incharge for West Bengal, claimed that voters were hindered from selecting the party option in several booths, alleging that the electronic voting machine (EVM) buttons were obstructed with tape.
List of booths where repolling will take place:
Magrahat Paschim (11 booths):
- 46 – Uttar Yearpur F.P School, Room Number 2
- 126 – Najra F.P School, Room Number 1
- 127 – Najra F.P School, Room Number 2
- 128 – Deula F.P School, Room Number 1
- 142 – Ghola Noyapara Girls’ High Madrasha, Room Number 2
- 214 – Ektara Malaya F.P School, Room Number 1
- 215 – Ektara Malaya F.P School, Room Number 2
- 216 – Ektara Malaya Dhora F.P School, Room Number 1
- 230 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya F.P School, Room Number 1
- 231 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya F.P School, Room Number 2
- 232 – Bahirpuya Kurkuria F.P School, Room Number 3
Diamond Harbour (4 booths):
- 117 – Bagda Junior High School
- 179 – Chandra F.P School, Room Number 2
- 194 – Haridevpur F.P School
- 243 – Roynagar F.P School, Room Number 2
In a statement on X, Malviya remarked, “This is what Mamata Banerjee was defending when she spoke up for Jehangir Khan, a criminal contesting on a TMC ticket from Falta in Diamond Harbour. In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked with tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice. This is the so-called ‘Diamond Harbour Model,’ the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat.”
Previously, West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal noted that such complaints would be investigated and acted upon, stating, “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll.”
The final phase of polling concluded on April 29, with an estimated turnout of around 90 percent. The counting of votes is set for May 4, with heightened security around strong rooms in Howrah.
