Suvendu Adhikari on West Bengal Re-Polls: “Should Have Been Conducted in More Booths”

West Bengal Re-Poll Updates: ECI Orders Fresh Voting in 15 Booths After Irregularity Complaints.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed repolling in 15 polling booths in West Bengal following allegations of irregularities during the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29. The repoll will be conducted on May 2 between 7 am and 6 pm. Of the affected booths, 11 are in Magrahat Paschim, while the remaining four fall under the Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas.

The move follows reports from election officials and complaints raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Party leader Amit Malviya alleged that voters were reportedly prevented from freely casting their votes in parts of Diamond Harbour, particularly Falta. He also claimed there were instances of alleged tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including reports of buttons being taped.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal had said that any confirmed EVM-related malpractice would lead to repolling in the concerned booths. Acting on the complaints and field reports, the Election Commission ordered fresh voting to maintain electoral integrity.

The final phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.