Bengal elections: ECI orders re-poll in 15 booths across 2 constituencies in South 24 Parganas

The repoll will take place on May 2, from 7 am to 6 pm, covering 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four booths in Diamond Harbour.

Both constituencies went to the polls on April 29.

This marks the first instance of repolling in the current round of Assembly elections being held across multiple states, including West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

No such recommendation had been made after the first phase of polling in West Bengal on April 23.

The decision followed inputs received from the state election machinery regarding alleged irregularities.

A significant number of complaints were reported from several constituencies, including Falta, Diamond Harbour, Magrahat and Budge Budge.

The Election Commission deputed special observer Subrata Gupta to assess the situation on the ground and verify the allegations before issuing the repoll order.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised concerns about alleged malpractices in polling stations within the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha segment, represented by Abhishek Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress.

In Magrahat Paschim, claims also surfaced regarding the alleged use of covert surveillance methods to track voter choices, raising questions over the secrecy of voting.

Repolling is typically ordered when credible complaints indicate possible disruption of the electoral process.

These may include EVM malfunction, allegations of booth capturing, voter intimidation or breach of ballot secrecy.

Such demands can be made by candidates, political parties, polling agents or election observers, after which the Election Commission reviews the evidence before making a decision.

Ahead of the results scheduled for May 4, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that adequate safeguards are in place to ensure transparency at counting centres.

The assurance comes amid heightened political activity following recent allegations related to strongroom monitoring and ballot handling.

The Election Commission has rejected claims of any irregularities in those instances, reiterating that established procedures are being followed.