New Delhi: Following the second phase of assembly elections on April 29, the Election Commission has ordered re-polling at 15 polling stations in two constituencies in West Bengal. The new polling will be held on May 2 from 7 am to 6 pm in South 24 Parganas district, covering 11 polling stations in Magrahat Paschim and 4 polling stations in Diamond Harbour.The poll body said the decision was taken based on reports from election officials and election observers to declare the previous polls at these polling stations invalid under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Authorities have been instructed to ensure widespread publicity for the re-poll, including notifying candidates and local voters.“I am directed to state that based on the reports received from the concerned election officials and observers of 142-Magrahat Paschim AC and 143-Diamond Harbor AC regarding the polling for the general elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly held on April 29, 2026 and taking into account all material circumstances, the Commission hereby declares that under Section 58(2) of the Election Act, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, dated April 29, 2026 The votes cast for the said election at the following polling stations (as mentioned in column 3 of the table below) on the following day shall be invalid and May 2, 2026 shall be fixed as the date and time for holding fresh polls at the said polling stations,” the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal read in the order.“I further state that the widest possible publicity should be given by beating drums in the polling areas and candidates contesting the polls should be informed in writing about the new polls to be held on the above-mentioned dates,” the poll body said.The decision came after allegations of irregularities during the voting, particularly in parts of the Falta section of Diamond Port. BJP West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya alleged that voters were unable to select party options at some polling stations and alleged that EVM buttons were covered with tape.
List of stalls that will undergo re-poll
Magrahat Paschim (11 booths)
- 46 – Uttar Yearpur FP School, Room No. 2
- 126 – Najra FP School, Room 1
- 127 – Najra FP School, Room 2
- 128 – Deula FP School, Room 1
- 142 – Ghola Noyapara Girls High School Madrasha, Room No. 2
- 214 – Ektara Malayan FP School, Room 1
- 215 – Ektara Malayan FP School, Room 2
- 216 – Ektara Malaysia Dhora FP School, Room 1
- 230 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room 1
- 231 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room 2
- 232 – Bahirpuya Kurkuria FP School, Room 3
Diamond Harbor (4 stalls)
- 117 – Baghdad Junior High School
- 179 – Chandra FP School, Room No. 2
- 194 – FP School, Hardevpur
- 243 – Roynagar FP School, Room No. 2
Malviya wrote in a post on Ballots. At several polling stations, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked with tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice. This is the so-called ‘Diamond Harbor Model’, the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee win a Lok Sabha seat.“Earlier, West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said such complaints would be verified and action taken.“If reports are received about tapping of any buttons, they should be verified and noted. If true, the booths will be re-polled,” the West Bengal CEO said.The final phase of voting ended on April 29, with a turnout of around 90%. Counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4 and security at the Howrah vault will be beefed up.
