Repolling Underway Across All 285 Booths In Bengal’s Falta Amid Tight Security

Repolling Underway Across All 285 Booths In Bengal’s Falta Amid Tight Security Published By, Last Updated: May 21, 2026, 10:56 IST The Election Commission ordered fresh voting after special observer Sujeet Mishra submitted a report highlighting serious violations during polling in Falta. Left: Mock poll in Falta; Right: TMC candidate Jahangir Khan Fresh polling began on Thursday across all 285 polling stations in the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district following the Election Commission’s order for a complete repoll. Voting started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 24. The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered fresh polling in the constituency after allegations of large-scale irregularities during the West Bengal Assembly elections held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Apart from Falta, repolling is also being conducted in 15 polling booths spread across the Paschim Magrahat and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituencies. According to the ECI, the decision to conduct a repoll in all polling stations in Falta was taken after reports of “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process" during voting on April 29. The Commission said the action was based on complaints and findings related to irregularities reported from several polling stations in the constituency. Security has been tightened across the constituency for the fresh voting exercise. According to PTI, eight Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel have been deployed at every polling booth, double the number present during the previous polling. “The poll panel does not want to leave any room for irregularities this time. Security arrangements have therefore been significantly strengthened," a senior election official told PTI. Falta has 285 polling booths and around 35 companies of central forces have been deployed to maintain order. Thirty quick response teams have also been kept ready to handle any disturbance. The Election Commission has increased surveillance as well. Two web cameras have been installed inside every polling booth and one outside. Live webcasting of polling stations and nearby areas is also being carried out. “Monitoring will be conducted from the offices of the District Election Officer (DEO) and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)," the official said. Drone surveillance is also being considered for the repoll. Three election observers have been appointed to supervise the voting process. TMC Candidate Withdraws Before Repoll A day before the repoll, Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew from the contest. “I dreamt that Falta should become golden Falta. The chief minister has said that a special package would be announced for Falta. That is why I am stepping aside from contesting the repoll," Khan said. “I am the son of the soil. I am stepping aside to ensure peace and prosperity for Falta and for its people," he added. CM Suvendu Adhikari Announces Special Package West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a roadshow in Falta on Tuesday and announced that a special package for the constituency would be included in the next state budget. He also promised jobs to one member from the family of every BJP worker allegedly killed in post-poll violence after the 2021 assembly elections. Taking a swipe at Jahangir Khan, Adhikari said, “Where is self-styled Pushpa? He had no other way, as he won’t get a polling agent, so he decided to run away." The chief minister also claimed that voters in the constituency were finally getting a chance to vote freely. “What I am witnessing today is people’s happiness. It feels like a second Independence Day. Voters will get back their voting rights after 10 years and will finally be able to cast their votes freely and fairly," he said. BJP Predicts Big Win In Falta BJP candidate Debangshu Panda said he was confident of a big victory in the repoll. “In Falta, the BJP will win by a margin of 1-1.5 lakhs votes," Panda said. He alleged that large-scale irregularities had taken place during the earlier polling. According to him, the BJP had demanded fresh voting after complaining about alleged manipulation and voter intimidation at several booths. “We had petitioned for re-polling in the 150 booths where cellotape was put on the BJP symbol… They even rotated cameras in some of the booths… Yesterday, they made a decision on our demand and declared a repoll on 21st May," Panda said. Why The Election Commission Ordered A Repoll The Election Commission ordered fresh voting after special observer Sujeet Mishra submitted a report highlighting serious violations during polling in Falta. According to an earlier HT report, CCTV footage from several polling stations was either missing or incomplete. At polling station 229, no footage was available from the beginning of polling till 3:14 pm. At polling station 177, footage was missing during multiple time periods. The report stated,