ECI Orders Repolls in 15 West Bengal Booths Following Election Irregularities
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered repolling at 15 polling stations across two constituencies in West Bengal. The decision follows reports of irregularities and violence during the polling held on April 29, 2026, as part of the state’s Assembly elections.
The fresh voting is scheduled for tomorrow, May 2, 2026, from 7 a.m. To 6 p.m. The ECI has officially declared the initial votes cast at these specific locations as void.
Affected Constituencies and Locations
The repolls will be concentrated in two specific constituencies within the South 24 Parganas region:
- Diamond Harbour
- Magrahat Paschim
While the Commission has already finalized the 15 booths for immediate repolling, it is currently reviewing a much larger set of demands. According to reports from The Hindu, the ECI is assessing pleas for repolling in 77 booths across four Assembly constituencies. These include complaints from Falta, Budge Budge, Magrahat, and Diamond Harbour.
Reasons for the Repoll Decision
The order for fresh voting stems from reports provided by Returning Officers and Observers. Several critical irregularities were cited as the primary drivers for the decision:
- EVM Tampering: Allegations that Electronic Voting Machines were compromised, including reports that the BJP symbol button on some machines was covered with black and white tape.
- Violence and Intimidation: Reports of clashes and voter intimidation that disrupted the democratic process.
- Technical Interference: Complaints regarding the use of unknown substances on machines and attempts to obstruct surveillance cameras to hide booth activities.
State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal indicated that if such irregularities are reported in a significant number of booths, the Commission may consider holding repolls across entire Assembly constituencies.
Key Takeaways for Voters
- Date: May 2, 2026
- Time: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Scope: 15 booths in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim
- Status of April 29 Votes: Declared void by the ECI
- Expected Result Date: May 4, 2026
What Happens Next?
The ECI is continuing its review of the remaining 77 disputed booths. If the evidence of tampering or violence is found to be systemic in those areas, further repolls may be announced. The final results for these constituencies, including the outcome of the May 2 repolls, are expected to be announced on May 4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to vote in the repoll?
Only registered voters assigned to the specific 15 booths identified by the ECI in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim are eligible to vote tomorrow.
Why were the previous votes declared void?
The ECI declares votes void when the integrity of the polling process is compromised—such as through booth capturing, EVM tampering, or widespread violence—making the original results unreliable.
Will this affect the final election date?
The repolls are a corrective measure for specific booths and do not shift the overall counting schedule, which remains set for May 4.