The Election Commission has ordered repolling in 15 polling booths across the Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. This decision came after allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering during the second phase of polling.
Allegations of EVM Tampering
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders claimed that in several booths in the Falta area, the voting buttons on EVMs were covered with tape, preventing voters from casting their ballots for the BJP candidate. This sparked a major controversy and prompted the Election Commission to intervene.
Legal Action Under Section 58(2)
Acting under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, the Election Commission declared the polling in the affected booths void and scheduled fresh voting. Sources indicate that up to 30 more booths may also face repolls as investigations continue.
Historic Voter Turnout
Despite the controversy, West Bengal recorded a historic voter turnout of over 92.9% in the second phase, the highest since Independence. This high turnout reflects the strong democratic spirit of the electorate.
Political Reactions
The BJP has welcomed the EC's decision, calling it a victory for democracy. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised concerns about security lapses and alleged that the repoll order is politically motivated. The Election Commission has assured that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure free and fair voting in the repolls.
