This statement followed allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of irregularities in Falta, part of the Diamond Harbour constituency.

The CEO stated, “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll.”

Earlier on the same day, Amit Malviya, BJP co-incharge for West Bengal, claimed voters were prevented from selecting the BJP candidate at several polling booths in Falta during the second phase of the Assembly elections. He alleged that in multiple booths, the BJP option was obstructed using tape and labelled the tactic the “Diamond Harbour Model,” demanding a repoll in the affected areas.

In a post on X, Malviya wrote, “This is what Mamata Banerjee was defending when she spoke up for Jehangir Khan, a criminal contesting on a TMC ticket from Falta in Diamond Harbour. In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice. This is the so-called ‘Diamond Harbour Model,’ the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat.”

The BJP has nominated Dipak Kumar Halder to contest against Trinamool Congress (TMC) sitting MLA Panna Lal Halder in Diamond Harbour. The two are experiencing a repeat contest after Panna Lal Halder defeated the BJP candidate in the previous elections by a margin of 16,996 votes, equivalent to 7.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 39.97 per cent by 11 am, with polling for 142 Assembly seats ongoing in the second phase of elections. According to the Election Commission of India, Purba Bardhaman reported the highest turnout at 44.50 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 43.12 per cent. Kolkata North and Kolkata South recorded turnouts of 38.39 per cent and 36.78 per cent, respectively.

Vote counting is scheduled for May 4.