293 of 294: EC Orders Repoll In Falta- Why One Bengal Constituency Must Wait Until May 24 for Results
The poll body announced that fresh polls will be conducted in all polling stations, "including Auxiliary polling stations," from 7 AM to 6 PM on May 21, while the votes will be counted on May 24.
- Election News
- 6 min read
New Delhi: As the West Bengal Assembly elections reach their climax, all eyes are on May 4, when the results for 293 constituencies will finally reveal the state's political future.
This high-stakes conclusion will determine if the Trinamool Congress (TMC) can successfully defend its turf or if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will achieve a landmark first-ever victory in the region.
Amidst this statewide resolution, however, the Falta constituency remains an outlier as the electoral process there continues following grave allegations of voter subversion and democratic interference during the April 29 polling phase.
Fresh voting in Falta
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered that fresh voting will be held across all 285 polling stations in Falta assembly constituency of West Bengal on May 21 even as repolling was held in 15 booths in Paschim Magrahat and Diamond Harbour assembly constituencies on Saturday (May 2).
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The poll body announced that fresh polls will be conducted in all polling stations, "including Auxiliary polling stations," from 7 AM to 6 PM on May 21, while the votes will be counted on May 24.
According to ECI, directives for fresh repolling have been given in Falta "on consideration of severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during the polling in a large number of polling stations on April 29".
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In Falta, TMC's Jahangir Khan is pitted against BJPs Debangshu Panda and Abdur Razzak Molla of the Congress. CPI(M)s Sambhu Nath Kurmi is also in the fray.
Notably, the polling in West Bengal was initially scheduled to end on April 29. However, due to reports of alleged EVM tampering, repolling were announced at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas district.
Why the re-poll?
The Election Commission stated that reports from observers highlighted concerns regarding voter intimidation, the presence of unauthorized individuals inside polling stations, and potential evidence of tampering.
On the polling day, Panda alleged that at Falta's booth number 177, the EVM button corresponding to the BJP candidate had been obstructed with adhesive tape. After central security forces arrived and cleared the tape, the voting process was allowed to continue.
Subsequently, Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT cell, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) alleging that white adhesive tape had been used to obscure the party's symbol at booth numbers 144 and 189 in Falta. Citing these irregularities, he called for an immediate re-poll in the constituency.
The complaints also cited buttons being marked with adhesive substances, ink, black tape, and even perfume, alongside booth jamming and rigging. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal said that any booth where taping of EVM buttons was verified would undergo repolling, stating, “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll”.
As per reports, following scrutiny by special observer Subrata Gupta, the EC found that irregularities were not isolated. Out of 77 complaints of EVM tampering from four constituencies, 32 were from Falta alone.
The observers also flagged disturbing findings, including CCTV cameras being switched off in multiple polling stations, preventing real-time monitoring. Invoking Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission declared the April 29 polling in Falta void and ordered repolling across all 285 stations to ensure a free and fair election.
Blame game continues
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Sunday welcomed Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to repoll all 285 polling stations in Falta assembly seat, stressing that the polling body has respected the democratic rights of people.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee strongly responded to remarks by BJP leader Amit Malviya over the Election Commission of India (ECI) decision to order fresh polling in the Falta Assembly constituency, defending what he described as the "Diamond Harbour model crumbles".
Banerjee, who also represents Diamond Harbour in Lok Sabha on Saturday criticised the BJP and challenged the "Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang" to contest from Falta.
"Ten lifetimes won't be enough for your Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL. Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India--Come to Falta. Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve, contest in Falta," Banerjee said.
Locals protests
Earlier, locals also staged a protest in the Falta area of the South 24 Parganas district, alleging threats and intimidation by Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadre, raising concerns about their safety and demanding action against those allegedly responsible.
This comes after the repolling across 15 polling stations in the South 24 Paraganas district concluded with the two constituencies (Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim) hitting a staggering voter turnout of 90 per cent.