Election Commission Orders Repolling in 15 Booths in South 24 Parganas Amid Irregularities

KOLKATA: Election Commission on Friday ordered repolling in 15 booths across two assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas following reports of irregularities during the second phase of Bengal polls. Of the 15 polling stations, 11 are in Magrahat West and four in Diamond Harbour. The repolling is scheduled for Saturday (May 2) from 7am to 6pm, it said in a notification. The notification has declared the April 29 polling at these booths void after reviewing reports from returning officers and election observers. Allegations of irregularities in the second phase led to demands for repolling in 77 booths across four assembly constituencies. There was no repolling in any booths in the first phase of polling. According to sources, special observer Subrata Gupta, who visited Diamond Harbour on Thursday to oversee the scrutiny and verification process, had recommended repolling in 11 booths in Magrahat West, four in Diamond Harbour, and 30 in Falta. "During scrutiny, several disturbing findings came to light, including allegations that CCTV cameras were switched off in multiple polling stations, preventing real-time monitoring from the control room due to network disruptions," sources said. Complaints were also raised that EVMs in some booths had been tampered with using tape to cover party symbols, except for one party. "Although presiding officers reportedly removed the tape around 1pm, nearly 58% of voters' turnout had already been recorded by then," sources said. Falta assembly constituency has a total of 285 polling stations, with some booths reportedly recording 100% voter turnout.