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Kolkata, 2 May. The Election Commission (EC) has decided to conduct re-polling in all the polling stations of Falta assembly constituency of West Bengal. Voting will take place on May 21 from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. Counting of votes will take place on May 24. This decision is almost unprecedented in the recent electoral history of Bengal.

Counting of votes in Falta Assembly will take place on May 24.

As per the instructions of the Election Commission, fresh voting will be conducted at all the 285 polling stations of Falta Assembly constituency. Fresh votes will also be cast at all auxiliary polling stations. As a result, while the election results of 293 seats in Bengal will be declared on May 4, Falta will be kept out of the announcement.

There was a demand for re-polling

In fact, voting for Falta Assembly constituency took place during the second phase of elections, specifically on 29 April. That day, allegations of obstruction in the voting process were reported at different booths of this seat. A complaint was also received that stickers on BJP’s election symbol ‘Lotus’ were pasted on electronic voting machines (EVMs). Apart from this, it was also alleged that a large section of local residents were prevented from casting their votes. Since then the demand for re-election in Falta was continuously increasing. The day after voting, road blockages were reported in several parts of Falta in protest against residents being denied the right to vote.

Order for re-polling in entire Falta area

State special role observer Subrata Gupta confirmed on Friday night that the commission had received several complaints regarding the conditions in Falta. These complaints were being carefully investigated and the CCTV camera footage was also being scrutinized thoroughly. Subsequently on Saturday night, the Commission issued a directive, ordering re-polling in the entire Falta assembly constituency.

Allegation of threatening voters in Falta

Earlier on Saturday itself, the Election Commission directed the Diamond Harbor District Police of South 24 Parganas district to immediately register an FIR against the close associates of Trinamool Congress candidate from Falta Assembly constituency Jahangir Khan. The villagers have accused these associates of threatening them and their family members with dire consequences if they vote for the BJP.

Warning of strict disciplinary action

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal said that the Commission has warned the Diamond Harbor District Police that if it fails to follow its instructions and does not initiate action against those accused of threatening the villagers by registering an FIR, then strict disciplinary action will be taken against the officials concerned.

Counting of votes on other 293 seats 4 on May

In fact, Falta had attracted national attention even before the April 29 vote. This was due to a conversation between Jahangir Khan and the ECI-appointed special police observer, Ajay Pal Sharma (IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre). Even on the day of polling, sporadic poll- violence was reported from Falta and adjoining assembly constituencies under Diamond Harbor sub-division of South 24 Parganas district. Assembly elections were held in West Bengal in two phases on 23 April and 29 April. Counting of votes will take place on May 4 and results will be declared on the same day.

90 at 15 booths in Magrahat and Diamond Harbor% repoll

Meanwhile, re-polling was held in 11 booths of Magrahat West and 4 booths of Diamond Harbor in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday. According to news agency Press Trust, about 90% voting took place in a total of 15 booths in both the assembly constituencies. On Friday night itself, the Election Commission had issued orders for re-polling in 15 booths of Magrahat West and Diamond Harbor assembly constituencies. However, during re-polling also there was a clash between TMC and BJP workers. During this, the security forces pacified both the sides.