Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata
Kolkata, Apr 29: The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday said repolling would be ordered in any polling booth where allegations of tampering with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) buttons are found to be true, amid controversy in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency.
The statement came after the BJP alleged irregularities during the second phase of Assembly polling, claiming voters in some booths were unable to cast votes for its candidate.
“If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” the CEO said.
The issue was raised by BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya, who alleged that the BJP voting option on EVMs had been blocked using tape in several booths in Falta and demanded repolling in the affected areas.
Malviya claimed the incident pointed to a pattern of electoral malpractice and linked the controversy to the high-profile contest in the region.
Meanwhile, polling for 142 seats in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections recorded 39.97 per cent voter turnout till 11 am.
Purba Bardhaman reported the highest turnout at 44.50 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 43.12 per cent. In Kolkata, turnout stood at 38.39 per cent in the north and 36.78 per cent in the south.
Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.