Fresh voting is set to take place in the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas on Thursday. The re-polling will cover all 285 polling stations in the constituency, with voting hours from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The election results are expected to be announced on May 24.
Polling in Falta occurred during the second phase of the recent two-phase Assembly elections on April 29. Following complaints of electoral malpractices, the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a re-poll across the entire constituency. Allegations included covering EVM buttons corresponding to BJP candidates’ names and symbols with white tape.
Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan has withdrawn from the contest, relying on CM Adhikari’s promise of a development package for Falta. Despite Khan’s withdrawal, his name will still appear on the EVM as a Trinamool Congress candidate during the re-poll. The Chief Electoral Officer’s office in West Bengal reported that polling personnel are prepared, with deployment activities proceeding smoothly for the re-poll.
Security measures for the re-polling in Falta will be extensive, with 35 companies of Central Armed Police Forces personnel ensuring a secure environment. The CEO’s office emphasized that the re-poll will proceed as planned, with all candidates, including Khan, remaining on the ballot.
