ECI to rule on BJP's repolling demand in 77 Bengal booths today
Synopsis
The ECI faces a high-stakes call on Thursday: whether to order repolling in 77 booths in South 24 Parganas — 64 of them in Abhishek Banerjee's Diamond Harbour turf — after BJP alleged irregularities including taped EVM buttons in Falta. The decision could reshape the second-phase narrative of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Key Takeaways
ECI to decide on 30 April on BJP 's demand for repolling in 77 booths in South 24 Parganas , West Bengal.
64 of the 77 booths fall under Diamond Harbour subdivision, the Lok Sabha constituency of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee .
Booths span Falta (32), Diamond Harbour (29), Budge Budge (3), and Magrahat (Purba) (13) Assembly constituencies.
EVM buttons next to the BJP candidate's name were found covered with white tape in Falta on Wednesday.
The first phase on 23 April passed without any repolling demand from any party.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will on Thursday, 30 April decide on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s demand for repolling in 77 booths across four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, which voted in the second phase of the state Assembly elections on 29 April. The decision follows a series of alleged irregularities reported during polling, including a controversy over taped EVM buttons in the Falta constituency.
Which Booths Are Under Scrutiny
According to an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), of the 77 polling booths where repolling has been demanded, 32 fall under the Falta Assembly constituency, 29 under the Diamond Harbour Assembly seat, 3 under Budge Budge constituency, and 13 under Magrahat (Purba) Assembly constituency.
Notably, 64 of the 77 disputed booths lie within the Diamond Harbour subdivision — and under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, represented by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The first three Assembly seats fall under Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha, while Magrahat (Purba) comes under Jaynagar Lok Sabha, both Parliamentary constituencies being within South 24 Parganas.
The EVM Controversy in Falta
The Falta Assembly constituency has been at the centre of controversy in recent days. On Wednesday, it emerged that the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) buttons beside the name and symbol of the BJP candidate had been covered with white tape — a development that triggered immediate concern over the integrity of the polling process.
The ECI took swift cognisance of the matter and directed the CEO's office to submit a report.
Point of View
The EVM tape incident in Falta has already handed the BJP a potent narrative heading into the remaining phases. The ECI's response will be read as a signal: how aggressively will it act on ground-level complaints in a state with a documented history of poll violence and booth management controversies? A half-measure risks emboldening both sides.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the BJP demanding repolling in 77 booths in West Bengal?
The BJP has alleged irregularities during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on 29 April, including EVM buttons next to its candidate's name being covered with white tape in Falta. The party has formally approached the ECI seeking fresh polling at 77 booths across four constituencies in South 24 Parganas.
Which constituencies are covered under the BJP's repolling demand?
The 77 booths span Falta (32 booths), Diamond Harbour (29), Budge Budge (3), and Magrahat (Purba) (13) Assembly constituencies — all in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
What is the significance of Diamond Harbour in this controversy?
64 of the 77 disputed booths fall within the Diamond Harbour subdivision, which is part of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. This makes the repolling demand politically significant.
What happened with the EVM in Falta?
On Wednesday, it was found that EVM buttons beside the BJP candidate's name and symbol in Falta were covered with white tape. The ECI immediately sought a report from the Chief Electoral Officer's office and is expected to announce its decision on Thursday.
Was there any repolling in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections?
No. The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, held on 23 April, passed without any demand for repolling from any political party.
