The Election Commission of India ordered repolling in 15 polling booths across West Bengal on May 2, 2026 [1, 9].

The decision follows reports of electronic voting machine irregularities during the second phase of the assembly election. Ensuring the integrity of these votes is critical to the legitimacy of the regional government and the stability of the electoral process.

The repolls are concentrated in the South 24 Parganas district, specifically within the Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour assembly constituencies [2, 3]. These fresh polls were triggered by reports of EVM malfunctions and alleged tampering, including claims that buttons on the machines were covered with tape [3, 1].

Original polling for these areas took place on April 29, 2026 [2, 10]. The Election Commission mandated the repeat process to ensure a free and fair election after complaints of irregularities surfaced [1, 3].

Early data showed a gradual increase in voter participation throughout the day. First-hour reporting indicated an early turnout of 16.68 percent in Magrahat and 15.83 percent in Diamond Harbour [7, 8]. By 11 a.m., reports on Magrahat turnout varied between 37 percent [5] and 38.2 percent [2]. Meanwhile, reports for Diamond Harbour at 11 a.m. placed turnout at 36 percent [6].

As the day progressed, participation figures rose significantly. By 1 p.m., voter turnout in Magrahat Paschim reached 56.33 percent [3]. During the same period, turnout in Diamond Harbour was recorded at 54.9 percent [3].

Security remained tight across the affected booths to prevent further disruptions. The repolling effort aims to resolve the disputes surrounding the initial vote and provide a definitive result for the two contested constituencies [2, 3].

“The Election Commission ordered repolling in 15 polling booths across West Bengal.”

The order for repolling in specific booths underscores the sensitivity of electronic voting machine reliability in high-stakes regional elections. By addressing reports of physical tampering—such as the use of tape on buttons—the Election Commission is attempting to mitigate accusations of fraud that could otherwise lead to legal challenges or civil unrest in the South 24 Parganas district.