Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 : EC orders Repoll in15 booths in Diamond Harbour amid irregularity concerns

 In a decisive step to preserve the sanctity of the ballot, the Election Commission of India has ordered re polling in select polling stations across West Bengal, following concerns over irregularities during the recent phase of voting.
The Commission has directed that re polling will be conducted in n15 polling booths spread across two constituencies that is Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. 

The fresh exercise of democracy is scheduled to take place on May 2, 2026 with polling expected to be conducted from 7a.m. – 6p.m. under heightened supervision. 
The decision comes after Election Commission declared the earlier voting at these booths, held on April 29 as void.

While detailed booth specific findings have not been publicly elaborated, the move follows reports of disruptions and alleged irregularities during polling. 
Earlier developments in the state’s election process had also seen complaints regarding EVM malfunctions and allegations of tampering, prompting scrutiny from authorities.
"I am directed to state that based on reports received from the concerned Returning Officers and the Observers of 142 Magrahat Paschim AC and 143 Diamond Harbour AC regarding poll taken for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, 2026, held on 29th April, 2026 and after taking all material circumstances into account, the Commission hereby declares, under sub section (2) of Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, that the poll taken on 29th April, 2026 for the aforesaid election at the following Polling Stations (as mentioned in Column 3 of the table below) to be void and appoints 2nd May, 2026 as the date and fixes the hours, for taking fresh poll at the said Polling Stations," Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer wrote in the order.
"I am further to state that the widest possible publicity should be given by beating of drums in the polling area, and contesting candidates should be informed in writing about the fresh poll being taken on the said date," the poll body added.

The re poll order emerges against the backdrop of a fiercely contested assembly election in West Bengal, marked by exceptionally high voter turnout exceeding 90% in multiple phases.  
With political stakes running high and participation surging, the Election Commission has taken steps to ensure that every vote is recorded fairly and without doubt.

Re polling is a constitutional safeguard employed when the integrity of the voting process is questioned. By ordering fresh polling in the affected booths, the Commission seeks to restore confidence in the electoral process and uphold democratic standards.
As voters prepare to return once more to the polling stations, the quiet machinery of democracy resumes its motion remains measured, deliberate, and determined to reflect the true will of the people.