The Election Commission is considering re-poll applications at 77 centers in four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district after the second phase of the West Bengal polls held on April 29, officials said on Thursday.
According to an official, the reconnaissance committee received a total of 32 complaints from Falta, 29 from Diamond Harbour, 13 from Majarrat, and three from Badge.
Requests for re-polling are usually filed by political parties, candidates, polling agents or observers, citing alleged irregularities such as electronic voting machine malfunctions, booth takings, voter intimidation, or violations of voting secrecy.
“The complaints, which surfaced soon after polling ended on Wednesday, include allegations of EVM tampering, use of substances on machines, and attempts to obstruct CCTV cameras. Given the volume and nature of the complaints, the commission is taking no chances,” a senior official told PTI.
Based on these reports, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has instructed Special Controller Subrata Gupta to conduct ground inspections before taking any decision.
Gupta is currently visiting the affected stalls and holding discussions with other observers. “He has been asked to physically check the situation at each of these sites and submit a detailed report,” an official source said, noting that this step differs from the usual audit process the next day.
The Election Commission will take a final decision on the re-poll after Gupta submits his results. If necessary, re-polling could be conducted at the affected booths as early as Friday, officials added.
A serious allegation has also emerged from Magrat Pasheim in the Diamond Harbor area, where spy cameras were allegedly placed in voters’ shirt pockets to monitor their voting choices.
Another official said: “The instructions are clear. Assess everything at ground level before answering the call.”
