The Election Commission on Friday ordered repolling at 15 polling stations in two constituencies of West Bengal on May 2. West Bengal voted in two phases — April 23 and April 29. While phase one saw 93.19%
turnout, phase 2 saw 91.6-92.6% turnout. The results will be out on May 4.
What happened in Bengal election phase 2?
The Election Commission on Thursday said it was actively looking into demands for repolling in 77 booths across four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district after the second phase of West Bengal elections held on April 29, an official said on Thursday.
The poll panelreceived 32 complaints of repolling from Falta, followed by Diamond Harbour (29), Magrahat (13) and three from Budge Budge, he said.
What were the complaints?
Demands for repolling are generally made by political parties, candidates, polling agents, or even observers, citing specific irregularities such as EVM malfunction, booth capturing, intimidation, or violation of the secrecy of voting. “The complaints, which surfaced soon after polling concluded on Wednesday, include allegations of EVM tampering, use of substances on machines, and attempts to obstruct surveillance cameras. In view of the volume and nature of complaints, the Commission is taking no chances,” a senior official told PTI.
Acting on the reports, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar directed Special Observer Subrata Gupta to carry out on-ground inspections before any decision on re-polling is finalised, the official said. A particularly serious allegation was also reported from Magrahat Paschim in the Diamond Harbour area, where it was claimed that spy cameras were placed in voters’ shirt pockets to track their voting choices, PTI reported.
#BreakingNews | EC orders repoll in 15 booths in Magrahat Paschim, Diamond Harbour@Arunima24 shares more details @ShivaniGupta_5 | #PlainSpeak #WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/rd1e7uzCR5
— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 1, 2026
Which polling stations will see a repoll?
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Bengal, the Election Commission (EC) said the repolling has been ordered based on inputs received from the state poll machinery and voting will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. While 11 polling stations are in the Magarhat Paschim assembly constituency, four are in Diamond Harbour.
The Commission declared the original polling held on April 29 at the 15 booths to be void under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The District Election Officer in South 24 Parganas has been requested to make arrangements for the polling.
What about Falta?
A report about complaints relating to the Falta constituency is awaited. A large number of complaints was received from the constituency.
When does the ECI order a repoll?
The Election Commission of India orders a repoll when it believes the voting process at a polling station was seriously compromised — meaning the result there cannot be trusted as a free and fair reflection of voters’ choice.
What kind of situations trigger a repoll?
Repolling is typically ordered in cases like booth capturing, violence, intimidation of voters, EVM malfunction affecting voting, or procedural violations by polling staff. The key test is whether the irregularity materially affected voting integrity, not just minor errors.
Who decides and how is it done?
The decision is taken by the ECI based on reports from returning officers, observers, and security agencies. If approved, fresh voting is conducted at that polling station, usually within a few days, under tighter security and monitoring. Repolling isn’t routine — it’s used selectively when the ECI concludes that free and fair voting was disrupted enough to require a redo.
Four states and UT went to polls, was a repoll ordered anywhere else?
This is the first time that repolling has been ordered in the present set of assembly polls in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. No repolling was recommended in the first phase of the West Bengal polls held on April 23.
With PTI inputs
