Repolling is being held in 15 polling stations across West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district after the Election Commission declared earlier voting in these booths void following complaints of irregularities during the second phase of Assembly elections on April 29.
Fresh polling on May 2
The voting will take place on May 2 between 7 am and 6 pm. The affected booths are spread across two constituencies: Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour. Of the 15 booths, 11 are in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour.
The Election Commission said the decision was based on reports submitted by returning officers and election observers, along with a review of "material circumstances".
#WATCH | West Bengal Elections Re-polling | A CRPF personnel helps a voter, walking with the help of a stick, at booth number 117, Bagda Junior High School, in Diamond Harbour Assembly Constituency in South 24 Parganas district. pic.twitter.com/tc1zim7Xi5
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2026
Booths identified for repoll
In Magrahat Paschim, repolling will be conducted in 11 booths: Uttar Yearpur FP School, Najra FP School, Najra FP School, Deula FP School, Ghola Noyapara Girls' High Madrasha, Ektara Malaya FP School, Ektara Malaya FP School, Ektara Malaya Dhora FP School, Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Bahirpuya Kurkuria FP School.
In Diamond Harbour, the four booths include Bagda Junior High School, Chandra FP School, Haridevpur FP School and Roynagar FP School.
Also Read | Repolling underway in 15 booths of South 24 Parganas under Section 58(2) of RP Act
Officials are expected to closely monitor the repoll process to ensure adherence to procedures.
Repoll is being held under strict security measures. X/ANI EC order cites legal provision
The Commission invoked provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to declare the earlier polling void.
Also Read | Strong room security tightened: 24x7 EC vigil, Section 163 enforced ahead of counting
In the official communication, Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated, "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 Harbour 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 aforesaid 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."
Authorities have been instructed to ensure that voters and candidates are informed about the repoll.
The repoll follows allegations of irregularities in certain booths, particularly in parts of Diamond Harbour's Falta segment. BJP co-incharge Amit Malviya claimed that voters were unable to select the party option in some locations, alleging that EVM buttons were covered.
