West Bengal repolling: EC orders repoll in 15 booths in state after malpractice allegations

Polling will be conducted between 7 am and 6 pm, according to the EC order. Representational Pic

The Election Commission on Friday ordered a repoll in 15 polling stations across two Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, to be held on May 2, following reports of electoral malpractices, the PTI reported.

Polling stations identified for repoll

The repolls have been ordered in 11 polling stations in the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four in Diamond Harbour.

Polling will be conducted between 7 am and 6 pm, according to the EC order.

Background: Second phase voting

Voting in these two Assembly constituencies was held during the second phase of the state elections on April 29, the news agency reported.

Decision based on official reports

The decision to order a repoll was based on reports received from returning officers and observers of the two constituencies, along with "material circumstances" that were taken into account.

BJP alleges electoral malpractices

The BJP had alleged widespread electoral malpractices in certain polling stations in both constituencies under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, represented by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

EC deploys observer for verification

The Election Commission had also deputed its special observer, Subrata Gupta, to verify the allegations on the ground.

2nd phase recorded voting at 92.47 pc till midnight; average in two phases at 92.85 pc

Meanwhile, the polling percentage in the second phase of elections for 142 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal on April 29 was recorded at 92.47 till midnight, thus taking the overall average percentage in the two phases to a record high of 92.85.

However, as clarified by insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, on Thursday morning, neither of these figures is final as tabulation will be available later in the day.

The polling percentage figure in the second phase of polls till midnight Wednesday is marginally lower than the figure of 92.88 till midnight of April 23, when the first phase of polls for 152 Assembly constituencies took place.

Nationally, the previous record of the highest polling percentage was recorded in Tripura in 2013, when the figure was recorded at 91.82 per cent.

The average polling percentage in the two phases at 92.85 is also a record high in West Bengal.