EC relieves Bengal poll observers as MCC lifted, Falta re-poll on May 21
Synopsis
West Bengal's 2026 assembly elections are nearly wrapped — but not quite. The Election Commission has relieved its top observers and lifted the Model Code of Conduct statewide, yet Falta remains a live constituency after malpractice complaints forced a re-poll on May 21. A retired High Court Chief Justice's sudden resignation from the Appellate Tribunal adds a fresh wrinkle to an already closely watched electoral process.
Key Takeaways
Election Commission of India relieved special poll observer Subrata Gupta and special police observer N.K.
Mishra on Thursday after West Bengal election duties concluded.
Results for 293 of 294 West Bengal Assembly constituencies were declared on May 4, 2026 .
Falta constituency (South 24 Parganas) faces re-polling on May 21 , with results on May 24 , following complaints of electoral malpractices on April 29 .
The Model Code of Conduct has been lifted across West Bengal except for Falta .
Retired Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S.
Sivagnanam resigned from the Appellate Tribunal chairmanship, citing personal reasons.
Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal and the two relieved observers were acknowledged by the Commission for ensuring peaceful, high-turnout polls.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday relieved its two senior observers deployed for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 — special poll observer Subrata Gupta and special police observer N.K. Mishra — after results for 293 of 294 constituencies were declared on May 4. The lone exception is the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, where re-polling is scheduled for May 21 and results will be declared on May 24.
An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, confirmed that both officials have been issued formal relief letters by the Commission.
Why Falta Remains Under Election Watch
The Falta constituency went to polls during the second phase of the two-phase West Bengal elections on April 29. Following complaints of massive electoral malpractices on polling day, the Election Commission of India decided to order re-polling for the entire constituency. Consequently, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) — lifted for the rest of West Bengal on Thursday — continues to remain in force for Falta until the process concludes.
Officers Behind the Scenes Acknowledged
The Election Commission had earlier acknowledged the contributions of three officials who discreetly coordinated all electoral operations from start to finish. These are Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, along with Subrata Gupta and N.K. Mishra, who operated as behind-the-scenes coordinators throughout the election cycle.
The West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 have been widely noted for relatively peaceful polling — a marked contrast to the state's historical record of electoral violence — as well as an unprecedented voter turnout percentage.
Former Calcutta HC Chief Justice Resigns From Appellate Tribunal
In another significant development on Thursday, retired Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam resigned from his position as head of the Appellate Tribunal constituted to handle cases of voters whose names were deleted during the special intensive revision process in West Bengal.
Justice Sivagnanam (retired) was also heading a three-member panel of retired Calcutta High Court judges, constituted by the Supreme Court, to oversee the functioning of the Appellate Tribunal. In his resignation letter, he cited personal reasons for stepping down.
What Happens Next
With the MCC lifted across the state barring Falta, the newly elected government formation process is expected to move forward. All eyes now turn to the May 21 re-poll in Falta, which the Commission will continue to monitor closely, with the final seat tally to be confirmed after May 24.
Point of View
Lifting the MCC — signals institutional confidence in the 2026 West Bengal polls, which by the Commission's own reckoning were unusually peaceful. Yet Falta's malpractice-driven re-poll is a reminder that the state's electoral reputation is still a work in progress. More intriguing is Justice Sivagnanam's abrupt resignation from the Supreme Court-constituted oversight panel — a development that raises questions about the robustness of the voter-deletion adjudication process, even as the Commission winds down its presence. The timing, coinciding with the MCC lift, deserves closer scrutiny than it is likely to receive.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Election Commission relieve poll observers in West Bengal?
The Election Commission of India relieved special poll observer Subrata Gupta and special police observer N.K. Mishra because the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 have concluded, with results declared for 293 of 294 constituencies on May 4. Their official duties in the state have formally ended.
What is happening in Falta constituency and why?
Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas is set for re-polling on May 21, 2026, with results on May 24. The Election Commission ordered a fresh poll after receiving complaints of massive electoral malpractices during the original vote held on April 29, during the second phase of the West Bengal elections.
Has the Model Code of Conduct been lifted in West Bengal?
Yes, the Election Commission lifted the Model Code of Conduct across West Bengal on Thursday, except for the Falta Assembly constituency, where it will remain in force until the re-polling process concludes on May 24.
Why did Justice T.S. Sivagnanam resign from the Appellate Tribunal?
Retired Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam cited personal reasons in his resignation letter. He was heading both the Appellate Tribunal handling voter-deletion cases from West Bengal's special intensive revision and a Supreme Court-constituted three-member panel of retired judges overseeing the tribunal's operations.
How were the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 notable?
The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections were notable for relatively peaceful polling — a contrast to the state's history of electoral violence — and an unprecedented voter turnout. The Election Commission acknowledged three officials, including Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Subrata Gupta, and N.K. Mishra, for their role in achieving this.
