West Bengal Elections 2026: Repolling announced in 15 polling stations, decision on Falta awaited

Kolkata: In a major decision, the Election Commission has announced repolling in 15 stations in the Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim areas of West Bengal on Saturday. All these booths fall under the jurisdiction of the South 24 Parganas district. Re-polling will be held at 11 booths within the Magrahat West Assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas district. Additionally, fresh voting will also be conducted at 4 booths in the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency, in light of serious complaints received regarding these locations.

What is the issue?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to conduct re-polling on May 2 at 15 polling stations across two key Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. This step was taken following an examination of booth-wise reports and complaints received at the district level. The Election Commission has stated that this decision was reached based on complaints of irregularities received during the voting process, as well as subsequent scrutiny, with the aim of upholding the fairness and integrity of the election.

The Election Commission arrived at this decision based on reports submitted by the Returning Officers and Observers for the Magrahat West and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituencies. Acting under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission has declared the polling conducted at these specific booths on April 29, 2026, as void. According to the Commission, fresh polling will be conducted at the concerned polling stations on May 2, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

A letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal stated: "I am directed to convey that, in connection with the polling held on April 29 for the General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2026—and based on reports received from the concerned Returning Officers and Observers for Assembly Constituencies (AC) 142-Magrahat West and 143-Diamond Harbour—the Commission, exercising its powers under Sub-section (2) of Section 58 of the 'Representation of the People Act, 1951', hereby declares that the polling conducted on April 29 at the aforementioned selected polling stations for the said election is void."

What aout Falta Assembly Constituency?

Alongside the announcement of re-polling at the 15 booths, the Election Commission is also keeping a close watch on other constituencies. The Election Commission stated that it is currently awaiting the report regarding complaints related to the 144-Falta Assembly constituency. Once the report is received from Falta, the situation there will also become clear as to whether re-polling is required at any other booths. Election Commission teams are continuously reviewing the complaints received from the districts, as well as the reports from the polling stations. Thirty additional booths within the Falta Assembly constituency could potentially come under the scope of re-polling. In this constituency, the BJP had alleged that labels and tape had been placed over their election symbols on the EVM buttons.