West Bengal Election 2026 Around 56% Turnout Recorded as Repolling Held in South 24 Parganas
Editorial
West Bengal Repolling in parts of West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district recorded an approximate voter turnout of 56% across two assembly constituencies—Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour—where voting is being conducted again at 15 polling booths.
The repoll began at 7:00 AM on Saturday following orders from the Election Commission of India (ECI), which intervened after multiple complaints of electoral irregularities during the second phase of polling earlier in the week.
West Bengal Repoll at 15 Booths
Out of the 15 booths, 11 are located in the Magrahat Paschim constituency, while the remaining four fall under Diamond Harbour. Authorities confirmed that the decision for repolling was taken after reports of alleged tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
A senior election official in Kolkata stated that repolling was mandated in these booths based on verified complaints, while reports from the Falta Assembly constituency are still under review.
EVM Tampering Allegations Surface
The Election Commission reportedly received at least 77 complaints related to EVM manipulation during the second phase of polling. Officials noted several disturbing tactics allegedly used to influence voting.
In some instances, buttons corresponding to certain political parties on EVMs were either covered with adhesive tape or obscured with ink, effectively preventing voters from selecting their preferred candidates. In other cases, substances such as attar were applied to buttons, potentially allowing rival groups to identify voters based on scent.
BJP Demands Wider Repoll
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly demanded a broader repoll, accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the alleged tampering.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, claimed that voters were deliberately obstructed from casting their votes in favor of BJP candidates at multiple booths in Falta, which falls under the Diamond Harbour constituency.
Election Commission Responds
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that any polling booth found with compromised EVM functionality—such as taped buttons—would automatically qualify for repolling. This assurance came after political parties raised serious concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
