The move of Election Commission of India to start the repolling process at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas is an unavoidable but controversial measure taken due to interference claims in the last phase of assembly elections of West Bengal. With fresh voting currently underway from 7 am to 6 pm, the focus remains squarely on the Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim segments, where 11 and four booths respectively are seeing a total reset of the electoral process. While the queues have returned to these specific localities, a final verdict regarding similar complaints in Falta is still being weighed by officials.
The catalyst for this intervention was a series of highly specific complaints during the April 29 polls, suggesting a sophisticated attempt to disrupt the mechanics of the vote. Out of the 77 complaints that were made to the Commission, one of the most disturbing was about the physical tampering of the EVMs. The complaint mentioned how the machines were covered with sticky tape, ink, and perfumes so as to block out the names and symbols of the opposition parties such as BJP and CPI(M). Falta emerged as the primary flashpoint with 32 such complaints, followed closely by Diamond Harbour, an area synonymous with the political influence of TMC heavyweight Abhishek Banerjee.
By virtue of Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the previous proceedings held in these places were deemed void. The Commission has such power to declare results void if there is an irregularity due to either violence or tampering with machinery. Although the Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal, noted that preliminary mock polls had shown the machines to be in working order, the suspicion is that the tampering occurred in the heat of the actual voting hours.
Despite the backdrop of legal disputes and the circulation of videos alleging booth capturing and rigging, the electorate's resolve appears remarkably undeterred. West Bengal has recorded a staggering overall turnout of 92.93 per cent across the two phases—the highest since the dawn of Indian independence. Even as the commission scrutinises an additional 30 polling stations in Falta to determine if the repoll must be extended further, the sheer volume of public participation suggests that while the process may be under fire, the democratic impulse remains exceptionally high.
Also read: TMC moves SC over EC counting staff rule; hearing tomorrow
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