- The Election Commission will hold repolling in all 285 Falta polling stations on May 21
- Repolling was ordered due to "severe electoral offences and subversion"
- Votes will be counted in Falta on May 24
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced repolling in all polling booths of West Bengal's Falta Assembly constituency, citing "severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process".
The poll body said fresh voting will take place in all 285 polling stations of the constituency, including auxiliary polling stations, on May 21. The timings of the polling will be from 7 am to 6 pm, and votes will be counted on May 24.
"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.
This means on May 4, the counting of votes will be conducted for 293 seats in West Bengal.
Reacting to the repolling announcement, Trinamool General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who is the MP from the Diamond Harbour constituency - of which Falta is a part - said the BJP would never win the seat.
Calling his model the "Diamond Harbour model", he claimed nothing would put a dent in it. "Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India - Come to Falta," he wrote on X.
Also read: Trinamool Holds Sit-In, Alleges Ballot Boxes Opened. "Pure Rumours," Says BJP
BJP vs Trinamool Over 'EVM Tampering'
The poll body's action came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged voting machines had been tampered with in the Falta seat.
During voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 29, the BJP alleged its button on the electronic voting machines (EVM) had been taped in several polling booths in Falta in South 24 Paraganas' Diamond Harbour area.
Also read: Repolling At 15 Booths In 2 West Bengal Constituencies Today
The Trinamool Congress denied the allegation, claiming the BJP had raised a false alarm because it was losing in the state. It also slammed the Election Commission and police observer Ajay Pal Sharma, the IPS officer known as "Singham", who the party had earlier accused of threatening their candidate Jehangir Khan.
On Friday, the Election Commission announced repolling in 15 booths in West Bengal's Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies following complaints of irregularities.
Repolling in the two constituencies took place today, with the combined voter turnout exceeding 90 per cent. However, the supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool clashed in Falta, alleging threats and intimidation by TMC workers.
Three Trinamool Congress workers were arrested on Saturday evening in Falta following the Election Commission's complaint alleging voter intimidation and assault.
Earlier this week, senior Trinamool Congress leaders staged a protest at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium, alleging ballot boxes were opened despite the absence of the party's designated representative. The BJP denied the allegation.
