The Election Commission of India instructed the Diamond Harbour District Police in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, to promptly file FIRs against close aides of the Trinamool Congress candidate from Falta Assembly constituency, Jahangir Khan. Villagers accused these associates of threatening them and their families for voting for the BJP. The Commission warned of severe disciplinary action if the police failed to comply and register FIRs against the accused.
All Assembly segments in South 24 Parganas, including Falta, voted in the second phase of West Bengal’s Assembly elections on April 29. Despite a recommendation for re-polling in 30 booths in Falta by the ECI-appointed Special Observer, a decision is pending. The BJP demanded a re-poll for the entire Falta constituency, alleging tampering with EVM buttons in some booths.
Falta gained national attention before the April 29 polls due to an altercation between Jahangir Khan and the ECI-appointed Special Police Observer, Ajay Pal Sharma. Reports of sporadic poll-related violence emerged from Falta and nearby constituencies on the polling day. The West Bengal Assembly elections occurred in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with vote counting scheduled for May 4 and results announced the same day.
