Repolling of votes is underway on Saturday at 15 polling stations across the South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal following an Election Commission order.
The order to conduct fresh voting came after allegations of EVM tampering during the second phase of the assembly elections held on April 29.
The fresh polling is being held in 11 booths under the Magrahat Paschim assembly constituency and four booths in the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, as directed by the poll panel.
The move comes amid heightened political tension in one of West Bengal’s closely watched electoral regions, with both major parties trading charges over the circumstances leading to repolling.
In a formal communication to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, the Election Commission stated that the decision was taken based on inputs received from the state election machinery.
The Commission has maintained that repolling was necessitated after reports flagged possible irregularities involving EVM button tampering in select booths. Officials confirmed that only those polling stations where discrepancies were verified would undergo fresh voting.
West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal had earlier 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.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the Election Commission’s decision but demanded that repolling be extended to more booths in the affected constituencies. The party also reiterated allegations of irregularities during polling.
BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya had earlier claimed that voters were prevented from exercising their franchise in several booths under Falta in Diamond Harbour constituency during Phase 2 polling.
Reacting to the developments, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said, “Despite so much strictness there, black tape was pasted on the lotus button. This time, the elections were conducted fairly due to the central forces and the Election Commission’s strictness.”
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rejected the allegations, accusing the BJP of attempting to “defame” West Bengal through what it termed a politically motivated narrative linked to the repolling exercise.
The controversy has further intensified political exchanges as West Bengal heads towards the counting day scheduled for May 4. The final phase of polling on April 29 had recorded a high voter turnout of nearly 90 per cent before closing.
Security arrangements have been tightened at strong rooms in Howrah where EVMs are stored ahead of counting.