The Election Commission of India has ordered a fresh election in all polling stations of the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district. This decision comes after severe electoral offences were discovered during the second phase of polling on April 29. As a result, the counting of votes for 293 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal will occur on May 4, excluding Falta. The Commission stated that the entire polling conducted in Falta on April 29 will be canceled, with a new poll scheduled for May 21.
The Election Commission cited severe electoral offenses and subversion of the democratic process during the polling in the Falta Assembly Constituency as the reason for the fresh poll. The Commission has directed that a new poll will be conducted in all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations. The fresh polling is set to take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on May 21. Following this fresh poll, the counting of votes in the constituency will be held on May 24.
In addition to Falta, the Commission had previously announced re-polling in 15 booths across Diamond Harbour and Magrahat (Paschim) Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district. The re-polling in these booths was conducted on Saturday. The decision to conduct a fresh election in Falta was made after allegations of EVM tampering surfaced on polling day, leading to petitions for re-polling.
The Election Commission-appointed Special Police Observer, Ajay Pal Sharma, had a standoff with the Trinamool Congress candidate from Falta, Jahangir Khan, before the second phase of polling. Following scrutiny to assess irregularities, the Commission decided on the fresh poll. Serious irregularities were detected during the scrutiny, including allegations of switched-off surveillance cameras and covered EVMs in multiple booths.
