NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has ordered repolling in 15 polling stations across two constituencies in West Bengal following the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29. Fresh polling will take place on May 2 between 7 am and 6 pm in South 24 Parganas district, covering 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour.The poll body said the decision was based on reports from returning officers and election observers, declaring the earlier voting in these booths void under provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Authorities have been directed to ensure wide publicity of the repoll, including informing candidates and local voters.“I am directed to state that based on reports received from the concerned Returning Officers and the Observers of 142-Magrahat Paschim AC and 143-Diamond Harbor AC regarding poll taken for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, 2026, held on 29th April, 2026 and after taking all material circumstances into account, the Commission hereby declares, under sub-section (2) of Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, that the poll taken on 29th April, 2026 for the aforementioned election at the following Polling Stations (as mentioned in Column 3 of the table below) to be void and appoints 2nd May, 2026 as the date and fixes the hours, for taking fresh poll at the said Polling Stations,” West Bengal’s chief electoral officer wrote in the order.“I am further to state that the widest possible publicity should be given by beating of drums in the polling area, and contesting candidates should be informed in writing about the fresh poll being taken on the said date,” the poll body said.The decision follows allegations of irregularities during voting, particularly in parts of Diamond Harbour’s Falta segment. BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya claimed that voters were prevented from selecting the party option in certain booths, alleging that EVM buttons were covered with tape.
List of booths where repolling will take place
Magrahat Paschim (11 booths)
- 46 – Uttar Yearpur FP School, Room Number 2
- 126 – Najra FP School, Room Number 1
- 127 – Najra FP School, Room Number 2
- 128 – Deula FP School, Room Number 1
- 142 – Ghola Noyapara Girls’ High Madrasha, Room Number 2
- 214 – Ektara Malaya FP School, Room Number 1
- 215 – Ektara Malaya FP School, Room Number 2
- 216 – Ektara Malaya Dhora FP School, Room Number 1
- 230 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room Number 1
- 231 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room Number 2
- 232 – Bahirpuya Kurkuria FP School, Room Number 3
Diamond Harbor (4 booths)
- 117 – Bagda Junior High School
- 179 – Chandra FP School, Room Number 2
- 194 – Haridevpur FP School
- 243 – Roynagar FP School, Room Number 2
In a post on Banerjee secures his Lok Sabha seat.“Earlier, West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal had said such complaints would be verified and acted upon.“If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” West Bengal CEO said.The final phase of polling concluded on April 29 with turnout touching around 90 percent. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, with security tightened at strong rooms in Howrah.
