West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Wednesday said that 77 cases of EVM tampering were reported during the second phase of polling.
The second phase of polling in West Bengal was marred by violence and allegations of vote-tampering. (PTI)
West Bengal Assembly Elections: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday ordered repolling to be held at 15 polling stations in two constituencies of West Bengal after receiving several complaints of vote-tampering during the second phase of the state Assembly elections on April 29.
The Commission declared the original polling held on April 29 at these 15 booths in Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies to be void under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and said fresh polling will be held on Saturday, May 2.
The decision is based on reports from Returning Officers and Election Observers, after reviewing “all material circumstances”, the poll body said in a statement. The Commission also issued instructions for the widest possible publicity in the polling areas, and that the contesting candidates should be informed in writing about the fresh polling tomorrow.
All returning officers and concerned observers in Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour have been instructed to prepare for necessary action, while the District Election Officer in South 24 Parganas has been requested to make arrangements for the polling.
Where Will Repolling Be Held Tomorrow?
At least 11 polling booths in Magrahat Paschim and four booths in Diamond Harbour will undergo repolling on Saturday. The polling will begin at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm.
142 – Magrahat Paschim (South 24 Parganas)
- 46 – Uttar Yearpur FP School, Room No. 2
- 126 – Najra FP School, Room No. 1
- 127 – Najra FP School, Room No. 2
- 128 – Deula FP School, Room No. 1
- 142 – Ghola Noyapara Girls’ High Madrasha, Room No. 2
- 214 – Ektara Malaya FP School, Room No. 1
- 215 – Ektara Malaya FP School, Room No. 2
- 216 – Ektara Malaya Dhora FP School, Room No. 1
- 230 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room No. 1
- 231 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room No. 2
- 232 – Bahirpuya Kurkuriya FP School, Room No. 3
143 – Diamond Harbour (South 24 Parganas)
- 117 – Bagda Junior High School
- 179 – Chanda FP School, Room No. 2
- 194 – Haridevpur FP School
- 243 – Roynagar FP School (Room No. 2)
Why Has Repolling Been Ordered?
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Wednesday said that 77 cases of EVM tampering were reported during the second phase of polling and warned re-polling would be ordered in booths where such violations are confirmed.
This came after the BJP had alleged that the option to vote for the “lotus” symbol had been blocked with tape at several polling booths in the Falta seat of Diamond Harbour, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of preventing voters from exercising their choice.
READ MORE: ‘Diamond Harbour Model’: BJP Alleges TMC Blocked ‘Lotus’ Symbol On EVMs, Repolling Ordered
BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged the TMC had replicated this strategy previously to help Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee win the Lok Sabha election from the Diamond Harbour seat.
ECI officials said that 23 vote tampering complaints have been prima facie confirmed, including 20 from Falta. The CEO reiterated the Commission’s ‘zero-tolerance’ approach towards electoral malpractice and warned that those found guilty will face the strictest possible punishment as per the law.
The second phase of polling in West Bengal was marred by violence and allegations of vote tampering. EVM glitch allegations surfaced in Hooghly, while CRPF personnel detained two individuals in Bally following a clash over similar complaints.
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