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Repolling will be held in all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary booths, in the Falta Assembly constituency located in South 24 Parganas district.
TMC supporters stage a protest against Election Commission-appointed police observer in Falta.
The Election Commission of India on Saturday ordered fresh polling across all 285 polling stations in the Falta Assembly constituency of West Bengal, citing “subversion of the democratic process”.
The poll body said re-polling will be conducted on May 21 from 7 am to 6 pm, while counting of votes for the constituency will take place on May 24—well after the main counting day for the rest of the state on May 4.
ALSO READ: Repolling At 2 Seats, BJP-TMC Clashes, Falta Protests: What’s Unfolding In West Bengal Today
Where Will Repolling Take Place?
Repolling will be held in all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary booths, in the Falta Assembly constituency located in South 24 Parganas district. The seat falls under the Diamond Harbour subdivision.
This marks the second instance of repolling in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections. A day earlier, the Commission had ordered re-elections in 15 polling stations across Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies.
Why Has Repolling Been Ordered?
The Commission said the decision was taken after examining reports of “severe electoral offences” and large-scale disruption during the second phase of polling.
The April 29 voting in several areas of the state was marred by clashes between supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both sides accusing each other of vote tampering.
There were also reports of EVM glitches in Hooghly and detentions following clashes in Bally.
In its official order, the Commission said that the scale and seriousness of the violations warranted a complete re-poll to ensure a free and fair election.
“On consideration of severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during the polling in a large number of polling stations on 29th April 2026 in 144-Falta Assembly Constituency, West Bengal, the ECI directs that a fresh poll shall be conducted in all the 285 polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations,” the poll body said in its order.
The West Bengal Assembly elections were conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. While counting for most constituencies will proceed as scheduled, the Falta seat will now follow a separate timeline due to the fresh polling order.
(With inputs from agencies)
West Bengal, India, India
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