The Election Commission of India has ordered repolling in 15 polling stations in West Bengal after reports of irregularities surfaced during the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections held on April 29. The decision comes following inputs from election officials and observers, raising concerns over the integrity of voting in certain booths.
According to the Commission, fresh polling will be conducted on May 2 from 7 am to 6 pm. Of the 15 polling stations identified, 11 are located in the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency, while the remaining four fall under the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district.
In its directive to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, the EC stated that it had carefully reviewed reports submitted by the concerned Returning Officers and election observers. Invoking provisions under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission declared the April 29 polling at these booths “void” and ordered a fresh poll to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process.
The poll body also directed authorities to ensure that the repoll exercise is widely publicised in the affected areas. Instructions include informing voters through traditional means such as drum announcements and issuing written communication to all contesting candidates regarding the revised polling schedule.
The development follows allegations made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which claimed that voters were obstructed from casting their votes freely in certain booths, particularly in the Falta area under the Diamond Harbour constituency. Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) buttons corresponding to the BJP were tampered with, claiming they had been covered with tape, thereby preventing voters from selecting the party’s candidate.
In a post on social media platform X, Malviya termed the alleged malpractice as the “Diamond Harbour Model” and accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of defending such actions. He also referred to Abhishek Banerjee, suggesting that similar tactics had been used in previous elections.
Responding to the controversy on polling day, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal acknowledged receiving complaints related to EVM tampering. He stated that any verified instance of such irregularities would automatically warrant repolling in the affected booths. “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” he had said.
The second phase of polling in the high-stakes West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on April 29, recording a significant voter turnout of nearly 90% before the close of voting. The elections, marked by intense political competition, have drawn widespread attention across the state.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened across key locations, including strong rooms in Howrah, where EVMs have been stored under strict surveillance. Authorities have put in place multi-layered security arrangements to ensure the safety of the voting machines ahead of the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
The repolling exercise is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining electoral credibility, as authorities aim to address concerns raised during the initial phase of voting and uphold the democratic process.
