The Election Commission of India ordered a re-poll in 15 [1] polling booths across South 24 Parganas on May 2, 2026 [4].

The decision follows reports of irregularities and security concerns regarding the strong-rooms where ballots are stored. In highly contested regional elections, even a small number of booths can influence the final outcome of a constituency, making the integrity of these specific stations critical to the overall result.

The re-polling will occur across two specific assembly constituencies in the South 24 Parganas district. According to the commission, 11 [2] booths in Magrahat Paschim and four [3] booths in Diamond Harbour are required to hold new elections.

Officials scheduled the voting window for May 2, 2026 [4], with polling hours running from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. [5]. The commission said it ordered the re-poll after receiving complaints about the security of the polling stations and the processes used to protect the votes.

This measure aims to ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and that the final tally reflects the legitimate will of the voters. The ECI has not provided further details on the specific nature of the irregularities, only that they were sufficient to warrant a complete restart of the voting process in those 15 [1] locations.

Local authorities are expected to increase security around the affected booths to prevent further disruptions. The commission said the re-poll is necessary to maintain the credibility of the election in the region.

“The Election Commission of India ordered a re-poll in 15 polling booths across South 24 Parganas”

The ordering of re-polls due to strong-room security concerns highlights the ongoing volatility and tension surrounding elections in West Bengal. When the ECI intervenes to nullify previous votes, it suggests a breakdown in local administrative control or significant interference, potentially signaling a tight race where a few hundred votes could shift the seat's winner.