Repolling Begins at 15 Booths in South 24 Parganas

Kolkata: Repolling is underway in 15 polling stations of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal on Saturday, following directions from the Election Commission of India (ECI) after reports of alleged tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the second phase of Assembly elections held on April 29.According to the Commission, repolling is being conducted at 11 booths in the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four booths in the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas. In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, the EC said the repolling has been ordered based on inputs from the state poll machinery, with voting scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm.Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the EC’s decision, stating that repolling should be extended to more booths in the two assembly segments. On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) blamed the BJP for the incidents leading to repolling, calling it a strategy to “defame” the state.The repolling follows allegations by BJP co-incharge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, who claimed that voters were prevented from choosing the party’s candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during phase two of the elections.Commenting on the issue, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said, “Despite strict measures, black tape was pasted on the lotus button. People did not complain initially, and the information surfaced later in the day. TMC has been involved in irregularities, but this time central forces and the Election Commission were strict. I can say the elections were conducted fairly, people voted fearlessly, and a big change is likely in Bengal.”On polling day, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that any booth where EVM button tampering is verified would undergo repolling. “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” he said.Meanwhile, commenting on West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee, RLD leader Malook Nagar alleged that she fears losing based on exit poll trends. He claimed that her actions suggest acceptance of defeat and accused her of attempting to manipulate the system.The final phase of polling for the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded at 6 PM on April 29, with voter turnout reaching around 90% before closing. Security arrangements have been tightened at strong rooms in Howrah ahead of vote counting on May 4.



Source link