Kolkata, Apr 29: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that repolling will be conducted in Falta constituency under Diamond Harbour if allegations of EVM tampering are confirmed. The directive came after reports surfaced during Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, held on Wednesday, April 29.

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that the Commission maintains a strict “zero tolerance” policy toward irregularities. He clarified that if any polling booth is found to have tampered electronic voting machines (EVMs), repolling will be ordered immediately to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The controversy erupted after BJP alleged that in several booths across Falta, the EVM button corresponding to its candidate was covered with tape, preventing voters from casting their ballots freely. BJP co-incharge for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, raised the issue publicly, accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the irregularities to benefit its candidate Jahangir Khan. Malviya claimed this was part of a larger “Diamond Harbour model” allegedly used to secure electoral advantage for TMC leaders.

In a social media post, Malviya alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was directly involved in protecting TMC candidates, citing similar tactics used in the past to safeguard her nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s Lok Sabha seat in Diamond Harbour. He demanded repolling in all booths where irregularities were reported.

The Falta constituency is witnessing a high-stakes contest between BJP’s Debanshu Panda and TMC’s Jahangir Khan. Meanwhile, Diamond Harbour itself has become a focal point, with BJP candidate Dipak Kumar Haldar challenging sitting TMC MLA Panna Lal Haldar. Both constituencies saw intense battles during the 2021 Assembly elections, and the rivalry continues in 2026.

Also Read: BJP Alleges Booth Tampering, Violence Reported in West Bengal’s Phase-2 Polls

The ECI has assured voters that strict monitoring is in place, with webcasting, observer reports, and field inputs being reviewed continuously. Security forces have also been deployed to maintain order and prevent voter intimidation.

Election results for the West Bengal Assembly polls will be declared on May 4. Until then, the Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, emphasizing that any confirmed irregularities will be met with corrective measures, including repolling where necessary.