2026 elections live: ECI prepares to count votes tomorrow; Valta will go for full re-election after “violations”

Women voters stand in line in the rain at a polling station during the second phase of voting to cast their votes in Serampore, Hooghly, on Wednesday.

The decision came after the poll committee pointed to what it described as “serious electoral irregularities and the undermining of the democratic process” during the vote that was held on April 29 in the second stage.

The observers’ reports “indicated allegations of voter intimidation, unauthorized presence inside the booths, and the possibility of tampering,” which prompted the committee to intervene.

“In view of the seriousness of the incidents reported and the invalidity of the polling process, the Commission hereby declares the polling held on April 29 in Valta Assembly constituency invalid and orders fresh polling at all polling stations,” the order read.

New voting on May 21, counting will begin later

Re-polling will now take place at all 285 polling stations, including sub-stations, on May 21 between 7am and 6pm. The officials said the training would be conducted under “tight security arrangements to ensure a free, fair and transparent process.”

The Commission also directed the authorities to deploy adequate central forces, small observers and webcasting facilities, wherever required. In addition, the entire voting process will be videotaped and closely monitored to prevent “recurrence of any malpractices.”

The counting of votes for the Valta constituency alone is scheduled to take place later, on May 24, even as the counting of votes for the rest of the state continues on May 4.

Polling was repeated earlier in South 24 Parganas

This is not the first time that re-polling has taken place in the region. The ECI has already conducted re-polling at 15 polling stations in two constituencies in South 24 Parganas on Saturday.

Voting in West Bengal was held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Political reactions are getting worse

The Election Commission of India’s decision sparked strong political reactions. BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar welcomed the move and termed it a “victory for the women of Valta” over the “atrocities” committed by local TMC leader Jehangir Khan.

In Valta, Khan is contesting against Dibangshu Panda of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress candidate Abdul Razzaq Molla, and Sambo Nath Kurmi of the Communist Party of India.

“Ten years will not be enough for the Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their client Gyanesh Kumar to make a dent even in my DIAMOND HARBOR model,” TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee responded in a post on

“Bring everything you have. I challenge the entire Union of India – come to Valta. Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have the nerve, compete at Valta,” he asserted.