EC Orders Repoll in Falta, West Bengal on May 21 Citing Offences

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step by ordering a fresh poll across all 285 polling stations in the Falta Assembly constituency of West Bengal. This rare decision was announced on Saturday, May 2, 2026, and the repolling is scheduled to take place on May 21, 2026. The counting of votes for the Falta seat will now be conducted on May 24, 2026, separately from the general counting for other constituencies, which is slated for May 4, 2026. The EC's directive comes after a thorough review of reports from returning officers, observers, and other 'material circumstances' that indicated 'severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process' during the initial polling held on April 29, 2026, as part of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The irregularities reported were extensive and included multiple allegations that compromised the integrity of the voting process. One of the primary complaints, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was that its party symbol on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was allegedly covered with black adhesive tape or obscured with perfume at several booths in Falta. This action reportedly prevented voters from selecting the BJP's option, thereby disenfranchising them. BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, brought these issues to the attention of senior leadership, with BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya terming it the 'Diamond Harbour Model' and demanding immediate corrective action. Specific polling stations, such as Harindanga High School and booth number 189, were cited as being affected. Beyond EVM tampering, the Election Commission's notification highlighted other serious electoral malpractices. These included intimidation and obstruction of voters, unauthorized and illegal presence of political party cadres inside polling stations, and multiple instances of companions casting votes on behalf of electors, often without proper authorization. Reports also indicated a lack of video footage at certain polling booths, making verification of complaints challenging. The decision to order a complete repoll for an entire assembly constituency is considered a rare move by the Election Commission, underscoring the gravity of the electoral offences committed. The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer had previously stated that any confirmed instances of such complaints would lead to repolling, and the ECI's current order confirms these findings. This development comes amidst heightened political tensions in the Diamond Harbour region, where both the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) have accused each other of attempting to influence the polling process. Villagers in Falta had also staged protests, alleging they received life threats from TMC workers in the area. Furthermore, three Trinamool leaders have been arrested in connection with complaints of electoral malpractices, including threatening voters. Prior to this decision for Falta, repolling had already been conducted on May 2, 2026, in 15 booths across two other assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district – Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour – following similar complaints of irregularities during the April 29 voting phase. The ECI's actions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process in West Bengal.

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