EC orders repoll in 15 booths in Bengal amid irregularity allegations
Repolling is underway in 15 polling stations across West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Friday, just two days before vote counting, after the Election Commission (EC) received complaints of irregularities during the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29.
Fresh voting is being conducted at 11 booths in the Magarhat Paschim Assembly constituency and four in Diamond Harbour. Polling began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.
The EC ordered the repoll based on reports submitted by returning officers and observers, citing “material circumstances” that warranted a re-vote. According to officials, the poll body had received 29 complaints from Diamond Harbour and 13 from Magarhat.
Repolling is typically sought by political parties, candidates, polling agents, or observers in cases involving alleged violations such as EVM malfunction, booth capturing, voter intimidation, or breaches in voting secrecy.
Meanwhile, a decision on repolling in the Falta Assembly segment of Diamond Harbour is still pending, with the EC awaiting a detailed report, a poll official told PTI.
Political flashpoint
The repoll has sparked fresh political sparring in the state. The BJP has alleged widespread electoral malpractices in several polling stations under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee.
In response, the Election Commission has deputed its special observer, Subrata Gupta, to assess the situation on the ground and verify the claims.
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