(Image source from: Newsarenaindia.com)
The Election Commission of India has declared that there will be repolling at 15 voting locations in the Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim areas of West Bengal due to issues reported during the voting process. This repolling will occur at 11 voting sites in Magrahat Paschim and 4 in Diamond Harbour tomorrow, according to the Commission's announcement. "I am instructed to mention that after reviewing reports from the relevant Returning Officers and the Observers of 142-Magrahat Paschim AC and 143-Diamond Harbour AC concerning the election held on April 29, 2026, for the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, and considering all significant factors, the Commission states, under sub-section (2) of Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, that the voting held on April 29, 2026, at the Polling Stations listed below is null, and sets May 2, 2026, as the new date for voting at these locations," stated Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer in the announcement.
Voting at all 15 polling places will commence at 7 in the morning and wrap up by 6 in the evening, as stated by the official. "Additionally, I would like to emphasize that extensive awareness should be created in the polling area by making noise with drums, and candidates in the election should be formally notified in writing about the new voting date," the Commission noted. The locations in Magrahat Paschim set for repolling include: 46-Uttar Yearpur F. P School, Room 2; 126 - Najra F. P School, Room 1; 127 - Najra F. P School, Room 2; 128 - Deula F. P School, Room 1; 142 - Ghola Noyapara Girls' High Madrasha, Room 2; 214 - Ektara Malaya F. P School, Room 1; 215 - Ektara Malaya F. P School, Room 2; 216 - Ektara Malaya Dhora F. P School, Room 1; 230 - Bahirpuya Kurkuriya F. P School, Room 1; 231 - Bahirpuya Kurkuriya F. P School, Room 2; 232 - Bahirpuya Kurkuria F. P School, Room 3.
The locations in Diamond Harbour for the new voting are: 117 - Bagda Junior High School; 179 - Chandra F. P School, Room 2; 194 - Haridevpur F. P School; and 243 - Roynagar F. P School, Room 2.
Voting in West Bengal happened in two rounds, on April 23 and April 29, with the state registering its highest voter participation since Independence. The overall voter turnout for both events reached 92.47 percent, as reported by the Election Commission last week. The counting of votes will occur on May 4. The Election Commission is taking precautions to avoid potential violence after the polls. The Kolkata Police have prohibited gatherings in seven areas designated for vote counting after Trinamool Congress leaders protested at Netaji Indoor Stadium, claiming that ballot boxes were accessed without their party’s authorized representatives being present. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal rejected the claims made by the Trinamool party.
