Repolling in Bengal's Falta underway amid high security, TMC candidate pulls out

Polling started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across 285 polling stations, including auxiliary booths. Counting of votes has been scheduled for May 24.

In Short

• Over 2.36 lakh electors can vote across 285 booths and auxiliary stations
• 35 CAPF companies and 30 quick response teams have been deployed
• Repoll necessitated after electoral offences, subversion during April 29 polling

Repolling began this morning in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district under unprecedented security arrangements, days after the Election Commission ordered fresh polling across all booths citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during voting held on April 29.

Polling started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across 285 polling stations, including auxiliary booths. Counting of votes has been scheduled for May 24.

More than 2.36 lakh voters, including around 1.15 lakh women and nine third-gender electors, are eligible to cast their ballots in the high-stakes re-election.

The Falta constituency, considered a Trinamool Congress bastion and part of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat represented by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, has remained politically tense since allegations of widespread poll irregularities surfaced after the second phase of Assembly elections on April 29.

WHAT NECESSITATED REPOLLING IN FALTA?

The Election Commission annulled the earlier voting exercise after complaints of voter intimidation, alleged EVM tampering and manipulation of polling procedures across several booths.

Officials said evidence of irregularities was detected in at least 60 polling stations after scrutiny by former Election Commission Special Observer Subrata Gupta.

Among the allegations were claims that adhesive tapes and perfume substances were applied to EVM buttons, allegedly preventing voters from selecting certain candidates and making it possible to identify voter preferences.

Authorities also found attempts to tamper with web-camera footage from polling stations, raising questions over the role of booth-level officers, presiding officers, polling staff and election observers.

The constituency also witnessed protests from local residents who alleged threats of violence and arson by individuals linked to local political leaders.

Villagers in Hasimnagar had demanded repolling and stronger security arrangements after the original polling process.

To prevent any repeat of violence or irregularities, 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed for the repoll.

Eight CAPF personnel, equivalent to a full section, have been stationed at every booth, compared to only four personnel during the April 29 polling.

Additionally, 30 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) remain on standby to tackle any disturbance.

TMC'S 'PUSHPA' PULLED OUT

The repoll has also drawn attention because of the dramatic withdrawal announcement by TMC candidate Jahangir Khan just two days before voting.

Although Khan declared that he was pulling out of the contest, his name remains on the EVMs as the deadline for formal withdrawal had passed.

The BJP, which swept the West Bengal Assembly elections by winning 207 out of the 293 seats declared on May 4, is now eyeing a possible breakthrough in Falta.

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is among six candidates in the fray, alongside CPI(M)’s Sambhu Nath Kurmi and Congress nominee Abdur Razzak Molla.

Political observers believe the BJP has gained a significant advantage after Khan’s withdrawal from the contest in a constituency long considered a TMC stronghold.

- Ends
With PTI inputs