West Bengal Re-Poll Updates: Suvendu Adhikari Says Re-Polling Should Have Been Held in More Booths

West Bengal Election Re-Poll Updates: Voting Ordered in 15 Booths After Allegations of Irregularities

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered repolling in 15 polling booths in West Bengal following complaints of irregularities during the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29.

The fresh voting will take place on May 2 between 7 am and 6 pm. Of the affected booths, 11 are in Magrahat Paschim, while four fall under the Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district.

The decision comes after reports from election officials and allegations raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Party leader Amit Malviya claimed that voters were allegedly prevented from exercising their franchise freely in parts of Diamond Harbour, particularly Falta. He also raised concerns about alleged tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including reports of buttons being taped.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal had stated that any confirmed instance of EVM tampering would lead to repolling in the affected booths. Following a review of the complaints and field reports, the Election Commission ordered fresh voting to ensure the integrity of the process.

The final phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on April 29. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.