ECI orders fresh poll in all 285 booths of Bengal's Falta constituency
Synopsis
In an unusually sweeping move, the Election Commission cancelled the entire Falta Assembly constituency poll — not just select booths — after finding surveillance cameras switched off, EVMs allegedly taped, and nearly 58% of votes cast before corrective action was taken. It is one of the starkest electoral interventions in West Bengal in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India ordered a full re-poll across all 285 polling stations in Falta Assembly constituency , South 24 Parganas , on 2 May 2025 .
The 29 April polling in Falta stands entirely cancelled due to severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process.
Fresh polling is scheduled for 21 May between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. ; counting for Falta will be held on 24 May .
Alleged irregularities include surveillance cameras switched off , EVMs covered with tape , and network failures preventing information from reaching the control room.
By the time presiding officers removed tape from EVMs at around 1 p.m. , nearly 58% of voting had already taken place.
Counting for the remaining 293 West Bengal Assembly constituencies proceeds as scheduled on 4 May .
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday, 2 May ordered a complete re-poll across all 285 polling stations in the Falta Assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, after detecting severe electoral offences during the second phase of polling held on 29 April. The entire polling conducted in Falta on that date stands cancelled, with fresh voting now scheduled for 21 May.
What the ECI Directed
In an official statement, the Commission said:
Point of View
Not isolated. The EVM-taping allegation is particularly serious: if nearly 58% of votes were cast before corrective action was taken, selective re-polling would have been statistically meaningless. West Bengal has a long history of election-day complaints, but a full constituency cancellation is rare and sets a precedent that the Commission is prepared to act decisively when evidence warrants it. The real accountability question is how surveillance cameras went dark and who bears responsibility.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ECI ordered a fresh poll in Falta constituency?
The Election Commission found severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during polling on 29 April in the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency. Alleged irregularities included surveillance cameras being switched off, EVMs covered with tape in multiple booths, and network failures preventing information from reaching the control room.
When will the fresh poll in Falta be held?
Fresh polling in Falta will be held on 21 May between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., across all 285 polling stations including auxiliary stations. Counting of votes for Falta will take place on 24 May.
Will Falta's votes be counted on 4 May along with the rest of West Bengal?
No. Counting for the remaining 293 West Bengal Assembly constituencies will proceed on 4 May, but Falta has been excluded. Its counting is scheduled separately for 24 May, after the re-poll on 21 May.
What were the specific allegations in Falta that led to the cancellation?
According to sources, surveillance cameras were switched off in several booths and network issues prevented the information from reaching the control room. EVMs were allegedly covered with tape in multiple booths, and although presiding officers removed the tape around 1 p.m., nearly 58% of voting had already taken place by then.
Was there any prior controversy in Falta before the re-poll order?
Yes. A standoff had emerged between ECI-appointed Special Police Observer Ajay Pal Sharma, an IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, and TMC candidate Jahangir Khan even before polling day. On polling day, EVM tampering allegations surfaced and multiple petitions were submitted to the Commission seeking re-polling.
