The Election Commission of India ordered repolling at 15 polling stations in West Bengal on Saturday following reports of voting irregularities [1].
This move marks a significant intervention in the current assembly election cycle. It is the first time repolling has been ordered across the current set of assembly polls in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry [5].
The repolling is concentrated in the South 24 Parganas district, specifically within the Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim assembly constituencies [2]. According to the commission, 11 polling stations in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour are required to repeat the process [1].
Officials scheduled the voting window from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. [4]. The decision follows complaints of irregularities and reports of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering during the second phase of polling [2].
Similar tensions have appeared elsewhere in the state. Reports indicated that chaos erupted in parts of West Bengal like Bally, Baranagar, and Hooghly as voters claimed an "EVM glitch" [6]. RepublicWorld said, "Voting in all 15 polling stations will start at 7 am and end at 6 pm" [1].
The Election Commission's decision to reset the vote at these specific booths aims to ensure the integrity of the final count in these contested seats. The process involves replacing the compromised machines and ensuring a secure environment for voters to cast their ballots again.
“This is the first time that repolling has been ordered in the present set of assembly polls in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.”
The order for repolling highlights the ongoing friction between major political parties in West Bengal regarding the reliability of electronic voting systems. By ordering a redo in 15 specific booths, the Election Commission is attempting to preempt legal challenges and accusations of fraud that could jeopardize the legitimacy of the assembly results in the South 24 Parganas district.
