Bengal CEO on EVM tampering: Repoll only if absolutely necessary
Synopsis
West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer has made clear that the Election Commission of India — not the state — holds the power to order a repoll, and only if scrutiny of CCTV footage and candidate reports makes it 'absolutely necessary.' With counting set for May 4, the BJP's EVM tampering allegations now hinge on what Delhi's review concludes.
Key Takeaways
Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal on 30 April said repolling will be held only if "absolutely necessary" following BJP 's EVM tampering allegations.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi — not the state — holds authority over any repoll decision.
An FIR on alleged EVM tampering has not yet been registered; the CEO said it will be lodged after the election process is completed.
77 complaints were received from the control room during the second phase of polling in West Bengal.
Police have made some arrests in connection with violence reported during polling.
Generators will be deployed at counting centres facing electricity issues ahead of the May 4 result day.
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Thursday, 30 April said that repolling would be conducted in certain constituencies only if "absolutely necessary", responding to allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were tampered with at some booths during the second phase of polling in West Bengal. The officer stressed that any such decision rests with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi, not at the state level.
What the Bengal CEO Said
Earlier on Thursday, Agarwal had stated that if reports of any button being taped were received, they would be verified and recorded, and the affected booths would go for a repoll if the allegations proved true. He later tempered expectations, telling reporters: "There is no hurry in conducting the repoll. Let the scrutiny report come. Repolling will only be conducted if it is absolutely necessary."
On the question of jurisdiction, he was unequivocal: "Repolling decision is not taken at our level. The matter is being scrutinised in Delhi. There are candidates and CCTV footage. Decision will be taken there. We will let you know when we receive the decision."
FIR Status and Police Action
Agarwal confirmed that an FIR has not yet been registered in connection with the alleged EVM tampering. "FIR will be lodged but for now our work is to focus on completing the election process. Once a crime has been committed, it stays," he said, indicating that the legal process would follow once election duties were fulfilled.
On reports of violence during polling, he said police action was already under way, with some arrests having been made. "The Police Commissioner will look into the matter and take appropriate action," he added.
Complaints and Field-Level Oversight
The Bengal CEO disclosed that 77 complaints were received from the control room during the polling process. He noted that presiding officers, observers, returning officers, and other field officials were simultaneously monitoring developments. "They will look into it and form an opinion. We will decide on the basis of their opinion," he said.
Power Backup Ahead of May 4 Results
Addressing concerns over reported electricity issues at certain counting centres ahead of the May 4 result day, Agarwal assured that generators would be deployed at those locations. "At the district level there are West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited and other agencies. I would ask them to keep full power backups. I myself will visit several centres," he said.
With scrutiny reports still awaited in Delhi and the counting day approaching, the Election Commission's final call on any repoll is expected to be closely watched by all contesting parties.
Point of View
'scrutiny in Delhi', 'no hurry' — is as much a political buffer as an administrative position. By repeatedly deflecting the repoll decision to the Election Commission, the state machinery insulates itself from the BJP's pressure campaign while the ECI retains full accountability. The more telling detail is the absent FIR: if EVM tampering is credible enough to trigger a potential repoll, it is credible enough for an immediate criminal complaint. The delay, however procedurally explained, hands opposition critics a legitimate question about the seriousness with which the allegations are being treated.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a repoll in West Bengal after EVM tampering allegations?
West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal has said a repoll will be conducted only if 'absolutely necessary', and the final decision rests with the Election Commission of India in Delhi, not the state. The ECI is currently scrutinising CCTV footage and candidate reports before making a call.
Who decides on a repoll in West Bengal — the state or the Election Commission?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi holds the authority to order a repoll, according to Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal. He explicitly stated that the decision is 'not taken at our level' and that the matter is under scrutiny in Delhi.
Has an FIR been filed over EVM tampering in West Bengal?
No FIR has been registered yet in connection with the alleged EVM tampering. The Bengal CEO said an FIR will be lodged eventually but that the immediate focus is on completing the election process.
How many complaints were received during West Bengal's second phase of polling?
A total of 77 complaints were received from the control room during the second phase of polling in West Bengal. Field officials including presiding officers, observers, and returning officers are also reviewing the situation.
When will West Bengal election results be declared?
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, and the Bengal CEO has assured that generators will be deployed at counting centres facing electricity issues to ensure uninterrupted power supply on result day.
