Kolkata: Fresh voting is underway across 15 polling booths in West Bengal on Saturday following allegations of irregularities linked to electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29.
According to the Election Commission of India, repolling is being conducted at 11 booths in Magarhat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour constituencies. Polling began at 7 AM and will continue till 6 PM under tight security arrangements.
#WATCH | Repolling underway at 15 booths in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas after ECI declared earlier voting void over alleged EVM tampering & irregularities. Tight security in place as polling resumes.@AkshayDongare_ #WestBengal #Repoll #ECI #Elections #Democracy… pic.twitter.com/WguANvCTHw
— DD India (@DDIndialive) May 2, 2026
EVM Complaints Trigger Fresh Voting
The decision for repoll comes after a wave of complaints regarding alleged tampering of EVMs. Reports indicate that as many as 77 complaints were filed during Phase 2 polling. Allegations ranged from machines being marked with black tape and adhesive substances to traces of ink and even perfume found on devices—raising concerns over electoral integrity.
Media inputs suggest that the poll panel received 29 repoll requests from Diamond Harbour alone, while 13 such complaints came from the Magarhat region.
Record Turnout Adds Political Heat
The two-phase elections concluded on April 29 with a record-breaking voter turnout of 92%—the highest ever in the state’s electoral history, surpassing the previous high of 84% recorded in 2011.
That landmark 2011 election had brought Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress to power, ending decades of Left rule in the state.
Exit Polls Hint at Tight Contest
With counting day approaching, exit polls present a divided picture. While four out of six pollsters suggest a slender edge for the BJP, two predict a comfortable win for the TMC. The magic figure in the 294-member Assembly stands at 148 seats.
However, past trends urge caution. In 2021, exit polls had forecast a neck-and-neck battle, but the Trinamool Congress delivered a sweeping victory with 215 seats, leaving the BJP with 77 seats as the principal opposition.
High Stakes, High Scrutiny
As repolling unfolds, all eyes are now on voter turnout in these sensitive booths and the Election Commission’s handling of complaints—factors that could influence the final outcome in what is shaping up to be a closely fought electoral battle in West Bengal.
