•Repolling in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency began on May 21 after original April 29 polls were cancelled due to EVM tampering allegations.
•Counting started at 8:00 a.m. on May 24 under tight security with over 87% voter turnout recorded.
•Election Commission deployed around 35 companies of central forces to ensure peaceful voting.
•Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew from the repolling just days before voting, calling it a personal decision.
•Allegations included tampering of EVMs with perfume-like substances and adhesive tapes, along with suspected manipulation of webcam footage.
•The EC ordered repolling in all 285 booths after scrutiny revealed irregularities involving polling officials and observers.
•The repolling follows the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections held on April 29 in South 24 Parganas district.
Counting of votes for the repolling in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency began at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026, under heavy security, according to an Election Commission (EC) official. The repolling was conducted across all 285 polling booths in the constituency on May 21 after the original voting on April 29 was set aside due to serious allegations of EVM tampering and irregularities. Officials reported that the counting process was proceeding peacefully, with adequate security measures in place at the counting centre.
Voter participation in the repolling reached over 87% of the 2.36 lakh registered electors in Falta, which is part of South 24 Parganas district. To ensure a smooth and secure electoral process, the EC significantly enhanced security by deploying around 35 companies of central forces across the constituency. This deployment was nearly double the usual security arrangements for a regular polling day.
Six candidates officially contested the repolling, but just days before the vote, Trinamool Congress (TMC) nominee Jahangir Khan announced he would not participate. The TMC clarified that his decision was personal and did not reflect any party directive. Despite his withdrawal, the constituency remained tense following the April 29 polling, when multiple complaints surfaced alleging tampering with EVMs. Some voters and observers reported the presence of perfume-like substances and adhesive tapes on the machines, raising concerns about possible interference.
Further scrutiny revealed alleged attempts to tamper with footage from web cameras installed at several polling stations. These incidents raised serious questions about the conduct of booth-level officers, presiding officers, polling personnel, and election observers. Following these findings, the Election Commission ordered a complete repolling in all 285 booths of the Falta Assembly constituency.
The April 29 polling had been part of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The cancellation and repolling reflect the EC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, even as political tensions remain high in the region. The commission’s decision to repoll the entire constituency underscores the gravity of the alleged irregularities and the need for transparent and fair elections.
As the counting progresses on May 24, all eyes are on the final outcome, which will determine the next legislator for Falta. The high turnout in the repolling and the deployment of central forces highlight both public engagement and the authorities’ resolve to conduct a credible election despite challenges.
