Bengal re-polling in 15 booths today; 30 more likely in Falta
Synopsis
Re-polling is underway in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas, but the bigger story is Falta — where a special ECI observer reportedly recommended 30 more booths for a re-run after EVM malfunction complaints and scattered violence. With the BJP demanding a full constituency re-poll, the electoral fallout from West Bengal's second phase is far from over.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India ordered re-polling in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas on 2 May , citing large-scale malpractice on 29 April .
11 booths are in Magrahat (Paschim) and 4 in Diamond Harbour .
Special observer Subrat Gupta reportedly recommended re-polling in 30 more booths in Falta after a day-long ground inspection.
The Falta probe was triggered by complaints of EVM button malfunction next to the BJP candidate's name and symbol.
The BJP has demanded re-polling for the entire Falta constituency ; clashes between TMC and BJP supporters were reported on Friday .
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered re-polling on Saturday, 2 May in 15 polling booths across the Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, following complaints of large-scale electoral malpractices during the second phase of Assembly elections held on 29 April.
Re-polling Breakdown
Of the 15 booths where re-polling is being conducted on Saturday, 11 fall under Magrahat (Paschim) and 4 under Diamond Harbour. The ECI said the decision was based on reports submitted by returning officers and general observers stationed at the affected polling stations, who flagged widespread irregularities on polling day.
30 More Booths in Falta Under Scanner
In a potentially larger 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 in the Diamond Harbour subdivision, also within South 24 Parganas. The ECI-appointed special observer, Subrat Gupta, personally conducted a day-long ground-level inspection in Falta on Thursday after arriving from Kolkata. According to the insider, Gupta reportedly recorded a recommendation for re-polling in 30 booths in Falta following his inquiry.
The probe was triggered by complaints that the button on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) beside the name and symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Falta was malfunctioning. The ECI ordered a thorough investigation, bypassing the local returning officers and general observer and entrusting it directly to the special observer.
BJP Demands Full Constituency Re-poll
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has gone further, demanding re-polling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency, not just the flagged booths. The party has cited the EVM complaints and the broader atmosphere of alleged intimidation as grounds for a complete re-run.
Tensions and Violence in Falta
Falta had been on edge well before polling day. A high-profile confrontation 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 All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate from Falta, Jahangir Khan, had already created a charged atmosphere. Reports of scattered electoral violence emerged on 29 April, and clashes between TMC and BJP supporters were reported in the area on Friday as well.
What Happens Next
The ECI is expected to formally announce its decision on the Falta re-polling shortly. With complaints of malpractice, EVM irregularities, and post-poll violence still unresolved, South 24 Parganas remains a flashpoint as West Bengal awaits the final outcome of its two-phase Assembly elections.
Point of View
If substantiated, would be among the more serious electoral integrity challenges in recent West Bengal polls. Yet the broader pattern is familiar: South 24 Parganas has been a recurring flashpoint in Bengal elections, and the cycle of violence, complaints, and re-polling has become almost procedural. The real test is whether the ECI's intervention translates into a credible re-poll or merely shifts the dispute to the counting stage.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is re-polling being held in South 24 Parganas?
The Election Commission of India ordered re-polling in 15 booths in Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour after returning officers and general observers reported large-scale electoral malpractices during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on 29 April. The re-polling is taking place on Saturday, 2 May.
What is the Falta EVM complaint about?
Voters and political workers complained that the EVM button beside the name and symbol of the BJP candidate from Falta was malfunctioning. The ECI ordered a special observer, Subrat Gupta, to conduct a ground-level investigation, bypassing local officials.
How many booths may face re-polling in Falta?
According to insiders from the Chief Electoral Officer's office, special observer Subrat Gupta reportedly recommended re-polling in as many as 30 polling booths in Falta following his day-long inspection on Thursday. A formal ECI announcement is awaited.
What has the BJP demanded regarding Falta?
The West Bengal unit of the BJP has demanded re-polling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency, going beyond the 30 booths flagged by the special observer, citing EVM complaints and a charged atmosphere of alleged intimidation.
What is the background of tensions in Falta?
Falta was already tense before polling day due to a public confrontation between ECI-appointed special police observer Ajay Paul Sharma and TMC candidate Jahangir Khan. Scattered electoral violence was reported on 29 April, and fresh clashes between TMC and BJP supporters occurred on Friday.
