The Commission, in its order, said it had carefully examined reports submitted by the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officer, Returning Officer and other field functionaries, along with inputs from observers and available material on record before arriving at the decision.
Published: May 3, 2026 10:06 AM IST
New Delhi: The counting of votes for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled for Monday (May 4). Voting in these elections was conducted in two phases, and the results will determine whether the Trinamool Congress returns to power in the state or if the BJP secures its first victory. However, it is important to note that the electoral process will still continue for one seat — Falta.
During the polling held on April 29, serious allegations of electoral irregularities and disruption of the democratic process were reported there. As a result, counting will take place for 293 out of the total 294 seats tomorrow.
Here are some of the key details:
- The Election Commission ordered repoll in all 285 polling booths of the Falta assembly constituency on May 21
- The repoll was ordered due to “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” on April 29
- The Commission said repoll across all the booths, including auxiliary polling stations, will be held between 7 am and 6 pm on May 21
- The polling will be held under “stringent security arrangements to ensure a free, fair and transparent” exercise.
- Counting of votes for the constituency will take place on May 24, the EC official said.
- The two-phase assembly polls were held on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
The Commission, in its order, said it had carefully examined reports submitted by the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officer, Returning Officer and other field functionaries, along with inputs from observers and available material on record before arriving at the decision.
Reports from observers “flagged allegations of voter intimidation, unauthorised presence inside booths and possible tampering”, it said.
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“In view of the gravity of the incidents reported and the vitiation of the poll process, the Commission hereby declares the poll held on April 29 in Falta Assembly Constituency as void and orders a fresh poll in all polling stations,” the order stated.
The poll panel has directed authorities to make all necessary arrangements, including deployment of adequate central forces, micro-observers and webcasting facilities, wherever required, to prevent “any recurrence of malpractice”.
It also directed that the entire poll process be videographed and closely monitored.
BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar welcomed the decision, and stated that the repoll was a “victory of the women of Falta” over the “atrocities” of local TMC leader Jahangir Khan.
Trinamool Congress Reacts to The Development
Reacting to the development, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said in a post on X: “Ten lifetimes won’t be enough for your Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL,”
“Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India – Come to Falta. Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve, contest in Falta,” he asserted.
