Over 16% voter turnout was recorded in the first two hours of polling during the West Bengal repoll 2026 in 15 booths across two assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district, an official confirmed on Friday.
Voting is being conducted peacefully in 11 polling stations of Magrahat Paschim and four booths in Diamond Harbour, where the Election Commission ordered repoll following reports of alleged electoral malpractice. The West Bengal repoll 2026 began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.
By 9 am, Magrahat Paschim recorded 16.68% turnout, while Diamond Harbour registered 15.83%, according to poll officials. Authorities stated that the West Bengal repoll 2026 has remained peaceful so far, with no incidents of violence or unrest reported.
A poll official said, “We have an adequate number of central forces deployed in both constituencies. Webcasting is being conducted, and the situation is being closely monitored.”
EC Orders West Bengal Repoll 2026 Over “Material Circumstances” Reported by Officials
The West Bengal repoll 2026 was ordered based on reports submitted by returning officers and observers, citing “material circumstances” that warranted fresh polling. Voting in these constituencies was originally held during the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections on April 29.
In Magrahat Paschim, TMC candidate Md Samim Ahamed Molla is contesting against BJP’s Goursundar Ghosh, along with other candidates from Congress and ISF. In Diamond Harbour, TMC’s Panna Lal Halder is facing BJP’s Dipak Kumar Halder, along with candidates from Congress and CPI(M).
Also read : India Launches Cell Broadcast Alert System, Nationwide Test Message Sent
The BJP had earlier alleged widespread electoral malpractice in certain polling stations under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, represented by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. Following the complaints, the Election Commission deployed special observer Subrata Gupta to verify ground-level reports.
The West Bengal repoll 2026 is part of ongoing electoral scrutiny, with the Commission also considering repolling in Falta assembly constituency. The state elections were conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29 under strict security arrangements.
Counting of votes for the West Bengal repoll 2026 and the overall election results is scheduled for May 4.