20.47% Voter Turnout Recorded in Falta Repoll Till 9 AM

Falta Assembly bypoll sees moderate early turnout amid heavy security as repolling gets underway in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district.

Polling is underway for the much-awaited repoll in the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal on Thursday, with authorities reporting a voter turnout of 20.47 per cent till 9 am. Voting began at 7 am across 285 polling stations and is scheduled to continue till 6 pm.

The Election Commission of India has significantly ramped up security measures for the exercise. Officials have doubled the deployment, placing eight security personnel at each booth compared to four during the original polling on April 29.

Heightened Security and Preparations

Local authorities confirmed that the additional forces were deployed following complaints of irregularities during the initial round of voting. The move aims to ensure free and fair polling in a constituency that has witnessed tension in recent weeks. 

Polling stations opened on time, with voters seen queuing up in several areas from early morning. Election officials said the process was proceeding smoothly in the initial hours, though they remained vigilant.

Why Repolling Was Ordered

The Election Commission had ordered fresh polling in Falta after receiving multiple complaints on April 29. Reports emerged from several booths alleging that tape was pasted over the BJP symbol on the EVMs, potentially affecting voter choice. There were also claims of EVM malfunctioning at multiple locations.

The then observer, Subrata Gupta, visited the constituency and conducted an on-ground inquiry. Evidence of tampering was reportedly found in at least 60 booths. Additionally, attempts to manipulate webcam footage at some polling stations came to light during the investigation. 

These developments prompted the Commission to announce repolling to restore voter confidence in the democratic process.

TMC Candidate Withdraws, Symbol Remains

The contest in Falta remains primarily between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, though the dynamics shifted recently. TMC candidate Jahangir Khan announced his withdrawal from the race just two days ago on May 18. However, his name and the party’s symbol will continue to appear on the EVMs, as the withdrawal came after the nomination process had concluded.

A total of six candidates are in the fray for this repoll.

Political History of Falta Seat

Falta has traditionally been a tough battleground. Once considered a CPI(M) stronghold, the seat shifted towards the Trinamool Congress, which first won it in 2001. After a brief CPI(M) comeback in 2006, TMC has held the seat continuously since 2011. Notably, the BJP is yet to register a victory here.

In the broader South 24 Parganas district, which has 31 Assembly seats, the BJP made notable gains in the last elections, winning 10 seats outside of Falta. The party succeeded in both rural pockets like Sagar, Kakdwip, and Gosaba, as well as urban segments such as Jadavpur, Tollygunge, and Behala. TMC, however, retained strongholds including Basanti, Kultali, and Raidighi.

Public Interest and Next Steps

The repoll in Falta has drawn considerable attention across the state, coming just weeks after the main Assembly election phase. The final results for this seat are expected to be declared on May 24 along with other pending counts.

Voters in the area expressed mixed reactions, with some hoping for a smoother process this time. Local residents said issues like EVM credibility had created some scepticism, making the repoll an important test for restoring faith in the electoral machinery.

Officials urged voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and assured all necessary arrangements were in place to prevent any untoward incidents. Monitoring teams and senior observers are stationed in the constituency to oversee the proceedings till the end of polling.

As the day progresses, turnout figures are expected to rise steadily. The Election Commission will continue to release periodic updates on voter participation throughout the day.

Firing Outside BJP Leader's House in Bengal, 2 Arrested as Tensions Rise Ahead of Vote Counting

Two held after late-night shooting triggers panic in Noapara

A day before the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections, police arrested two individuals after shots were fired outside the residence of a BJP leader in North 24 Parganas district late Saturday night, adding to the already charged political atmosphere across the state.

BJP leader Kundan Singh filed a complaint alleging that unidentified persons opened fire outside his house in the Noapara assembly constituency, according to police officials. The incident caused panic among local residents, though no injuries have been reported.

Based on CCTV footage from the area, police made two arrests by Sunday morning. A senior officer declined to confirm whether the detained individuals were connected to any political party, stating only that investigations were ongoing.

Repolling ordered across 285 Falta booths

The Election Commission of India has ordered fresh polling across all 285 polling stations of the Falta assembly seat in South 24 Parganas district, scheduled for May 21. The decision follows reports of irregularities and violence during the second phase of voting in the constituency.

BJP leader Amit Malviya claimed that the "Diamond Harbour model has crumbled" following the EC's order, a remark that drew a sharp response from TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee.

Banerjee throws down the gauntlet

The Lok Sabha MP from Diamond Harbour and Mamata Banerjee's nephew challenged the BJP to field its top candidates against him in Falta. In a post on X, Abhishek Banerjee said it would take "ten lifetimes for the anti-Bengal gang to put a dent in the Diamond Harbour model."

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar responded by expressing confidence about the repoll, claiming there would be "no rigging, no booth capture, no intimidation" this time.

Allegations fly over strong room access

In a separate development, a TMC worker alleged that a white car bearing the BJP logo and the word "Army" written on its rear was allowed to enter a strong room in Kolkata without proper checking. "How can any car be allowed to enter inside?" the worker asked.

The TMC has also questioned the EC's decision to restrict repolling only to Falta, with party MP Saugata Roy calling the move "unsatisfactory" and "not justified."

Three-layer security for counting day

The Election Commission has announced a three-layer security system for counting centres across West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Mamata Banerjee held a workshop with TMC workers in Purulia on Saturday, instructing party agents to remain alert and not leave counting centres under any circumstances. Meanwhile, BJP candidates across the state visited temples for prayers, and BJP women workers have planned a 24-hour vigilance demonstration outside strong rooms.