Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 2: The Election Commission of India has scheduled re-polling at 15 polling stations across two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district. Voting is being held again on Saturday in select booths under Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency (11 booths) and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency (4 booths). These constituencies had earlier voted during the second phase of the state elections on April 29.

The decision follows reports submitted by returning officers and general observers, citing significant irregularities and allegations of malpractice during polling day. Based on these findings, the Commission deemed it necessary to conduct fresh voting in the affected locations.

Meanwhile, officials from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office have indicated that a similar move could extend to the Falta Assembly constituency, where up to 30 polling booths are under scrutiny. Complaints had emerged regarding malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines, particularly involving the button corresponding to the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.

To address the issue, a detailed field investigation was carried out by special observer Subrat Gupta, who personally inspected the situation on the ground after arriving from Kolkata. Following his assessment, he reportedly recommended re-polling in the disputed booths.

The situation in Falta had already been tense leading up to the elections, with political friction involving Ajay Paul Sharma, a police observer appointed by the Commission, and Jahangir Khan of the All India Trinamool Congress. Election day saw sporadic violence, and tensions escalated further with clashes reported between supporters of rival parties a day later.

Earlier, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party had called for a complete re-poll across the entire Falta constituency, citing widespread concerns over the fairness of the voting process.