The Election Commission has directed a fresh poll in 15 polling stations across two constituencies in West Bengal following the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29. The repoll is scheduled for May 2 between 7 am and 6 pm in South 24 Parganas district, covering 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour.
Reason for Repoll
The decision was based on reports from returning officers and election observers, declaring the earlier voting void under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Authorities have been instructed to ensure wide publicity, including informing candidates and local voters through drum beats.
West Bengal's chief electoral officer stated in the order: "I am directed to state that based on reports received from the concerned Returning Officers and the Observers regarding poll taken for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, 2026, held on 29th April, 2026 and after taking all material circumstances into account, the Commission hereby declares the poll taken on 29th April, 2026 for the aforesaid election at the following Polling Stations to be void and appoints 2nd May, 2026 as the date and fixes the hours, for taking fresh poll at the said Polling Stations."
Allegations of Irregularities
The repoll follows allegations of irregularities, particularly in Diamond Harbour's Falta segment. BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya claimed that voters were prevented from selecting the party option, alleging that EVM buttons were covered with tape. In a post on X, Malviya said: "This is what Mamata Banerjee was defending when she spoke up for Jehangir Khan, a criminal contesting on a TMC ticket from Falta. In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape."
Earlier, West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal had stated that such complaints would be verified and acted upon, noting that if reports of taping were confirmed, those booths would face repoll.
List of Booths for Repoll
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
The final phase of polling concluded on April 29 with turnout around 90 percent. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, with security tightened at strong rooms in Howrah.
