REPOLLING UNDERWAY IN SOUTH 24 PARGANAS
Fresh voting is underway on May 2, 2026, at 15 polling booths across two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district. The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the repoll after declaring the April 29 voting in these locations void due to reported irregularities. The voting period for the repoll spans from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. under heightened security.
The decision to conduct a repoll was based on reports from Returning Officers and Observers, following complaints of electoral malpractices, including alleged EVM tampering and issues with CCTV functioning in strong rooms.
DETAILS OF THE REPOLL
The repolling is concentrated in 11 booths within the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four booths in the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency. These areas cast their votes in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 29. Notably, no repolls were ordered following the first phase of voting on April 23.
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The specific locations for the repoll have been identified as follows:
Magrahat Paschim: Uttar Yearpur F.P. School (Room No. 2), Najra F.P. School (Room No. 1 & 2), Deula F.P. School (Room No. 1), Ghola Noyapara Girls' High Madrasha (Room No. 2), Ektara Malaya F.P. School (Room No. 1 & 2), Ektara Malaya Dhora F.P. School (Room No. 1), Bahirpuya Kurkuriya F.P. School (Room No. 1, 2 & 3).
Diamond Harbour: Bagda Junior High School, Chanda F.P. School (Room No. 2), Haridevpur F.P. School, Roynagar F.P. School (Room No. 2).
POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS AND BACKGROUND
The repolling occurs just days before the scheduled declaration of results on May 4, 2026. The state has recorded a high voter turnout, exceeding 90 percent in both the April 23 and April 29 phases, indicating the intense political contest.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged widespread electoral malpractices and has called for repolls in additional booths. Conversely, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has challenged the ECI's directive on counting personnel in the Supreme Court, alleging that only central government employees were appointed as counting supervisors. The party has also reportedly expressed concerns about potential defaming strategies related to repolls.
The ECI's order to void the poll at these stations falls under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Reports concerning the Falta assembly constituency are reportedly still under review for potential repolls.
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