South 24 Parganas Repoll: Spotlight on Allegations, Reactions, and Ground Reality

Repolling across key booths in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district has brought fresh political sparring, voter reactions, and renewed scrutiny over alleged EVM irregularities. Conducted under tight security, the exercise reflects both administrative intervention and escalating political narratives ahead of counting day.

Why was repolling ordered in South 24 Parganas?

Repolling is underway in 15 polling stations following directions from the Election Commission of India after reports of alleged tampering with electronic voting machines during the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29. The exercise is being conducted at 11 booths in the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four booths in the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency, with voting scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm.

In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, the Commission clarified that the decision was based on inputs received from the state poll machinery. On polling day earlier, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal had stated, "If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll."

The controversy stems from allegations by BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, who claimed voters were prevented from selecting the party candidate in several booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency.

How are voters and security forces responding on the ground?

Repolling is being conducted amid heavy security deployment, with Rapid Action Force personnel stationed near polling booths to prevent disruptions. Despite earlier complaints, voters in Diamond Harbour appeared largely unfazed by the situation.

After casting his vote, one voter said, "It was fine earlier too, it is fine now as well. Such things (re-polling) keep happening. There is no problem." Another voter noted technical issues in the earlier phase, stating, "The machine was malfunctioning the last time. It is fine in the re-polling."

The broader election process has seen high participation, with voter turnout reaching around 90 per cent before the close of polling on April 29. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been tightened at strong rooms in Howrah ahead of vote counting scheduled for May 4.

What are political parties saying about the controversy?

The repolling has triggered sharp reactions from both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. While the BJP has welcomed the Election Commission’s decision, it has also demanded repolling in more booths. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, "Whatever happened at Magrahat West is welcomed. The re-polling should have happened in more booths in Diamond Harbour and in the whole of the Falta segment, it should happen in atleast 60 booths."

He further added, "They (ECI) are thinking something, they have a procedure, like observer's report, presiding officer's handbook, CCTV footage they have a system and they are doing. I respect the Election Commission, not like how Mamata (Banerjee) ji does."

Echoing similar sentiments, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged irregularities, stating, "Despite so much strictness there, black tape was pasted on the lotus button. People did not even complain, and information about this was received in the afternoon. TMC has been doing a lot of irregularities, but this time the central force and the Election Commission were strict, due to which I can say that this time the elections were conducted fairly, people voted, they voted fearlessly, this is a big thing, so a big change is going to happen in Bengal."

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh also criticised the ruling party, saying, "Mamata Banerjee has reached the point of frustration... Today she has to campaign in every street and even on the sidewalks... She has to motivate her workers to go to the counting room; otherwise her chances of winning could be reduced. This clearly shows that she is going to lose."

On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress has blamed the BJP for the situation, calling it a strategy to "defame" the state.

Adding to the political rhetoric, RLD leader Malook Nagar commented on Mamata Banerjee’s actions, saying, "Mamata Banerjee and TMC party if they say that state officials should be in the count and people of the country's government should not be in the count. She loses in the Supreme Court and goes to the Supreme Court again, this clearly proves that she had spread a web of the state government, had made a plan on how to commit a scam... maybe she is afraid of losing, from all the exit poll results that are coming, she feels that she is afraid of losing, from all her actions it seems that she has accepted defeat."

(With inputs from ANI)