Bengal polls: ECI orders re-polling in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas on May 2
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has ordered re-polling in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas just days after West Bengal's second-phase elections — and a special observer's ground-level probe may push that number to 45, with 30 more Falta booths under scrutiny over EVM complaints and widespread violence allegations.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India ordered re-polling at 15 booths in Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour constituencies on 2 May 2025 .
11 booths are in Magrahat (Paschim) and 4 in Diamond Harbour; both constituencies voted in Phase 2 on 29 April .
Special observer Subrat Gupta conducted a day-long ground inspection in Falta and reportedly recommended re-polling in 30 additional booths .
The probe in Falta was triggered by complaints of EVM malfunctions near the BJP candidate's name and symbol.
Clashes between TMC and BJP supporters continued in Falta on Friday, keeping the area tense.
The BJP had demanded re-polling across the entire Falta constituency , beyond the 30 booths flagged by the observer.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday, 1 May ordered re-polling at 15 polling booths across two Assembly constituencies — Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour — both in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The decision follows complaints of large-scale electoral malpractices during the second phase of the state's Assembly elections held on 29 April.
Which Booths Are Affected
Of the 15 booths earmarked for re-polling, 11 fall under Magrahat (Paschim) and 4 under Diamond Harbour. According to an official ECI statement issued on Friday afternoon, the decision was taken on the basis of reports submitted by returning officers and general observers posted at the said polling stations, who flagged systematic irregularities on polling day.
Falta Constituency: 30 More Booths Under Scrutiny
In a separate and potentially more significant development, insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer indicated that re-polling may be ordered in as many as 30 polling booths under the Falta Assembly constituency, located in the Diamond Harbour subdivision of South 24 Parganas.
The ECI-appointed special observer, Subrat Gupta, travelled from Kolkata to Falta on Thursday morning and conducted a day-long ground-level inspection. According to the Chief Electoral Officer's office insider, Gupta subsequently recorded re-polling for 30 booths in Falta after the probe — which was led by him directly, bypassing the returning officers and the general observer for the constituency.
The investigation was reportedly triggered by complaints that the button on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) next to the name and symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Falta had been tampered with or was malfunctioning. The West Bengal unit of the BJP had earlier demanded re-polling across the entire Falta Assembly constituency.
Tensions and Violence in Falta
The situation in Falta had been volatile even before polling day on 29 April. A public standoff had already developed between the ECI-appointed special police observer for the Diamond Harbour subdivision, Ajay Paul Sharma — an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre — and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate from Falta, Jahangir Khan.
Reports of scattered electoral violence surfaced on polling day, and tensions persisted on Friday with fresh clashes reportedly breaking out between TMC and BJP supporters in the area. The unrest underscores the charged political atmosphere in the Diamond Harbour belt ahead of the results.
What Happens Next
Re-polling at the 15 confirmed booths in Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour is scheduled for Friday, 2 May. A formal ECI order on the 30 Falta booths is expected imminently, pending the completion of Gupta's inspection report. With counting yet to be announced, any further re-polling orders could delay the final tally in these constituencies.
Point of View
And it points to an institutional trust deficit at the ground level. The EVM complaint involving the BJP candidate's button, if substantiated, would be among the most serious poll integrity allegations of this election cycle. With TMC-BJP clashes persisting even after polling day, the Commission's ability to enforce a credible re-poll — without further intimidation — will be the real test of its authority in Bengal.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ECI ordered re-polling in South 24 Parganas?
The Election Commission of India ordered re-polling at 15 booths in Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour after returning officers and general observers reported large-scale electoral malpractices during Phase 2 voting on 29 April. The decision was formalised through an official ECI statement on 1 May.
When will re-polling take place in the affected booths?
Re-polling at the 15 confirmed booths in Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour is scheduled for 2 May 2025. A formal order on the 30 Falta booths is expected shortly after special observer Subrat Gupta's report is submitted.
What is the EVM complaint in Falta Assembly constituency?
Complaints were filed alleging that the EVM button next to the name and symbol of the BJP candidate from Falta was malfunctioning or had been tampered with. The ECI ordered a special investigation led personally by observer Subrat Gupta, who visited Falta on 29 April and conducted a day-long ground inspection.
Who is Subrat Gupta and what role did he play?
Subrat Gupta is an ECI-appointed special observer who was dispatched to Falta to investigate EVM and malpractice complaints. He conducted the probe directly at the ground level, bypassing the local returning officers and general observer, and reportedly recommended re-polling in 30 booths.
What is the political situation in Falta ahead of re-polling?
Falta has been tense since before polling day, marked by a public dispute between IPS special police observer Ajay Paul Sharma and TMC candidate Jahangir Khan, scattered electoral violence on 29 April, and fresh TMC-BJP clashes on 1 May. The BJP has demanded re-polling for the entire constituency.
