Counting of votes in Bengal’s Falta Assembly repoll begins

Counting of votes for re-polling in Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal started at 8 am on Sunday, May 24, 2026, under tight security conditions, an Election Commission official said.

After the polling in the South 24 Parganas district seat in the second phase of the Assembly elections on April 29 was canceled following allegations of tampering and irregularities in the EVM, re-polling in all 285 booths in the constituency was held on May 21.

A polling committee official said, “The counting is proceeding peacefully. Adequate security arrangements have been made at the counting centre.” he said.

The re-survey showed that more than 87% of 2.36 lakh voters turned up to vote. The Election Commission has doubled security arrangements for re-voting by deploying around 35 companies of central forces in the constituency to ensure smooth conduct of voting.

Although six candidates were officially contesting for the seat, Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan announced a few days before the re-voting that he would not contest, in a decision the party described as personal.

Tension has been high in the constituency since the April 29 elections, when complaints surfaced from multiple booths alleging perfume-like substances and adhesive tapes were applied to EVMs.

Later investigations also revealed allegations of tampering with images taken by webcams installed at various voting stations; This raised questions about the roles of booth-level officials, presiding officers, polling staff and election observers.

Following the findings, the EC ordered a fresh poll in all booths.