Intimidation, unauthorized presence, ballot tampering – why the Election Commission ordered a re-poll in Farta, Bangladesh

New Delhi: election commission of india (EC) has ordered a complete re-poll in West Bengal’s Falta assembly constituency and canceled the April 29 polls, calling it a collapse of the democratic process. All 285 polling stations in the South 24 Parganas constituency will go to polls again on May 21 under enhanced security measures and counting of votes is scheduled for May 24.The decision came after multiple reports of irregularities, including allegations of voter intimidation, unauthorized entry into polling places and possible tampering with voting machines. Officials said the committee reviewed detailed submissions from ground-level authorities, observers and existing records before declaring the previous polls “invalid”.

what led to this move

According to the Electoral Commission, the scale and severity of the complaints made it impossible to prove that the April 29 vote was free or fair. Observers reported incidents of intimidation and disruption at polling stations, raising concerns about voters’ ability to exercise their right to vote independently.One of the most serious allegations involves electronic voting machines (EVMs). BJP leaders claimed that at several stalls, including one at Harindanga High School, the BJP logo was partially covered, preventing voters from choosing their preferred option.

who said what

West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar called the repoll a “victory” for voters, especially women voters, who he alleged faced intimidation during the polls.Trinamool Congress party’s Abhishek Banerjee, on the other hand, dismissed the accusations and launched a counterattack, encouraging opposition leaders to contest seats and defend their claims on the ground.The Congress party also weighed in, with Rashid Alvi claiming widespread irregularities in West Bengal and Assam, calling the situation a “stain on democracy”.Polling day itself reflected the tense environment. The heavy deployment of security forces, the movement of convoys and constant surveillance by political camps have created a tense atmosphere. The BJP claimed that its party logo has been affixed to the electronic voting machines (EVMs) at several polling stations in Falta.Candidates from Falta include Trinamool’s Jahangir Khan, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Debangshu Panda and Congress leader Abdur Razzak Molla.