Re-polling in 15 booths including Diamond Harbour: Election Commission takes stern action in Bengal

KOLKATA: The Election Commission ordered re-polling in two assembly constituencies in West Bengal. The repolling will be held in 11 booths in Magrahat West and four booths in Diamond Harbour. Voters can cast their votes again in these 15 booths on May 2, as the polls were declared void following irregularities during the April 29 election.

The polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm on Saturday.

The Election Commission cancelled the polling in these booths on April 29 following the reports of the Returning Officers and Election Observers. The poll was declared invalid under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Bengal Chief Electoral Officer has directed that the information about the re-polling be announced through a circular and that the contesting candidates be informed in writing.

The BJP alleged that the buttons of BJP and CPM candidates were covered with tape in the voting machines at the booths in the Falta constituency in Diamond Harbour. The visuals of this were also released. The BJP had complained of widespread irregularities in the areas under the influence of Trinamool Congress's Jahangir Khan. Following the complaint, polling was temporarily suspended in some areas of Falta. The Election Commission, which had ordered an investigation, had also announced that repolling would be conducted if evidence of tampering was found.