West Bengal: Polling Begins For Re-Election To Falta Assembly Seat

Kolkata: Th repolling has begun on Thursday across all 285 polling stations in the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. Final preparations for the re-poll were completed a day earlier. Voting for repolling started at around 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Votes are scheduled to be counted on May 24.

How are things in the polling station?

According to the sources in the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office, the deployment of polling personnel and other arrangements at dispersal centers are proceeding smoothly. Constant monitoring is underway to ensure a peaceful, fair, and transparent voting process. Extensive security arrangements have been made across the constituency, with 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployed, a significant security deployment for a single constituency. 

What is the reason of voting?

Re-polling in the Falta Assembly constituency comes after irregularities were reported in the polling during the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, which was conducted in two phases on April 23 and 29. Complaints regarding electoral irregularities emerged from several booths on polling day. It was alleged that the buttons displaying the names and election symbols of BJP candidates were covered with white tape on several EVM machines.

What about the security forces?

The official said that there are 285 polling stations in the Falta assembly constituency, and about 35 companies of central forces have been deployed to ensure peaceful voting. The deployment of security forces for the re-poll is almost double that of the previous one. Additionally, 30 quick response teams have been deployed to immediately deal with any disturbances.

What is happening in TMC?

Trinamool Congress's Jahangir Khan on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of his nomination from the re-election for the Falta Assembly constituency and said that  "I am a son of Falta's soil. I would want Falta to stay peaceful, healthy, and good. And I want more and more development for Falta. So let there be a Golden Falta, that was my dream. That's why our Chief Minister is giving a special package for the development of Falta. For that reason, I am withdrawing myself from the upcoming repoll contest on May 21."

While replying to the question regarding whether if this was a personal decision or enforced by the TMC, he said, "I have answered many questions before. Today, what I had to say was that I have withdrawn from this contest. For the sake of the people of Falta, for the sake of Falta's development, for the sake of maintaining peace in Falta."