West Bengal Assembly Repoll: Over 55% Turnout Amid Allegations of Harassment

In the recent repolling across 15 booths in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, over 55% voter turnout was recorded by 1 PM. While voting proceeded peacefully in most areas, allegations of harassment against a specially abled voter and his mother sparked protests from the Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission had ordered the repoll following reports of electoral malpractices. With significant candidates from TMC, BJP, and Congress contesting, the situation remains dynamic as the poll panel investigates further allegations. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding electoral scenario.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 16:08 IST

Voting Progress in West Bengal's Repoll

Kolkata: As of 1 PM, the repolling in 15 booths across two assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal saw a turnout exceeding 55 percent, according to official reports.

Voting proceeded largely without incident at 11 polling stations in the Magrahat Paschim assembly constituency and four in Diamond Harbour, where the Election Commission mandated a repoll due to allegations of electoral misconduct.

However, an incident at booth number 179 in Chanda Primary School, part of the Diamond Harbour constituency, raised concerns. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) claimed that a specially abled voter and his mother faced harassment from central forces, leading to protests from party members and local residents.

The TMC alleged that the mother, who entered the booth to assist her son, and the voter were held for an extended period by central forces over supposed rule violations.

TMC leaders Manmohini Biswas and Pratik Ur Rahman arrived at the scene to lead the protests, with locals describing the actions as unnecessary harassment. An official from the Election Commission stated that the situation was managed by their personnel.

Overall, the polling remained peaceful across the 15 booths, the official confirmed.

Voting commenced at 7 AM and is set to continue until 6 PM. By 1 PM, the turnout was recorded at 55.57 percent.

In the Magrahat Paschim constituency, voter turnout reached 56.33 percent, while Diamond Harbour saw 54.9 percent participation, as reported by a poll official.

These two constituencies had previously held elections during the second phase of the state elections on April 29.

The decision for a repoll was made based on reports from returning officers and observers, along with 'material circumstances,' according to an Election Commission official.

In Magrahat Paschim, TMC's Md Samim Ahamed Molla is competing against BJP candidate Goursundar Ghosh, with Congress's Abdul Majid Halder and ISF's Abdul Aziz Al Hassan also in the race.

In Diamond Harbour, TMC's Panna Lal Halder faces off against BJP's Dipak Kumar Halder, with Goutam Bhattacharya from Congress and CPI(M)'s Samar Naiya among the other contenders.

The BJP has accused certain polling stations in both assembly seats of widespread electoral malpractice, which fall under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

To investigate these claims, the Election Commission has appointed special observer Subrata Gupta to verify the allegations on-site.

The poll panel is also expected to make a decision regarding repolling in the Falta assembly constituency today.

The West Bengal assembly elections were conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, accompanied by extensive security measures.