Fresh voting began on Saturday morning in 15 polling stations across West Bengal after the Election Commission (EC) ordered a repoll citing irregularities during the second phase of Assembly elections. The repoll is being conducted in two constituencies of South 24 Parganas district Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour which had reported multiple complaints earlier.
Polling started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm under tight security arrangements, with election officials expecting steady voter turnout throughout the day.
Out of the 15 booths, 11 are located in the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and the remaining four fall under Diamond Harbour. The EC had earlier declared the April 29 polling in these booths void after reviewing reports from returning officers and observers.
The decision to hold a repoll comes amid allegations of irregularities, including claims of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering, booth capturing, and procedural lapses during the second phase of polling. Several complaints were lodged by political parties, prompting the EC to examine booth-wise reports before ordering fresh voting.
Officials said enhanced security measures have been put in place to ensure a free and fair process this time. Central forces, micro-observers, and webcasting facilities are being used to closely monitor the polling process and prevent any untoward incidents.
The repoll assumes significance as both constituencies are considered politically sensitive and had witnessed intense contest during the original voting phase. The Election Commission reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, stating that any disruption or verified irregularity would lead to strict action, including cancellation of votes and fresh polling if required.
Earlier, the poll panel had received dozens of complaints from various constituencies in the district, but after scrutiny, it decided to order repolling only in the 15 most affected booths.
With counting day approaching, the outcome of these repolls could play a crucial role in closely contested seats, making today’s voting exercise significant for both major political parties in the state.
