EC flags irregularities in West Bengal polls; repolling in 15 booths in two South 24 Parganas seats
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Voting resumed on Saturday at 15 polling booths across two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district after the Election Commission of India ordered a repoll, citing reports of irregularities.
The repoll is being conducted in 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour. Polling began at 7 am and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm, as per an election official.
These constituencies had earlier gone to the polls during the second phase of the state elections on April 29. The Commission indicated that its decision to order a repoll was based on inputs from returning officers, election observers, and what it described as relevant material circumstances, The New Indian Express reported.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged large-scale electoral malpractices in some booths in both constituencies, which fall under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat represented by Abhishek Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress.
To examine the claims, the poll body deputed special observer Subrata Gupta to assess the situation on the ground.
The Commission is also expected to decide on whether a repoll is required in the Falta Assembly constituency.
The West Bengal Assembly elections were conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29 under extensive security arrangements, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.