The Election Commission of India has announced a repoll for the Falta Assembly constituency on May 21, 2026, following serious allegations of electoral misconduct.
This decision comes after polling on April 29, 2026, which was marred by reports of electoral offences. The repoll will occur across all 285 polling stations in the constituency from 7 am to 6 pm.
Local protests erupted in Falta as residents expressed their concerns over safety and accountability. One local woman stated, “TMC’s Israfil Chowkidar has threatened us that if these people win, they will burn our houses and carry out bloodshed.” Such threats underline the tense atmosphere surrounding the elections.
The Election Commission received at least 77 complaints related to EVM tampering during the second phase of the elections. These complaints contributed to the decision for a fresh poll, as officials cited severe electoral offences reported during the initial voting.
The two-phase assembly polls in West Bengal took place on April 23 and April 29, 2026. The counting of votes from the repoll is scheduled for May 24, 2026.
Another local woman voiced her concerns, saying, “We want him to be arrested. We need safety for women.” This sentiment reflects broader calls for accountability amid allegations against political figures.
The Election Commission’s statement highlighted that the decision was made due to subversion of the democratic process in numerous polling stations. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring fair elections in West Bengal.
