The results of the West Bengal Assembly elections will be declared on May 4 for 293 of the 294 constituencies, but Falta seat will remain outside the final tally due to allegations of serious electoral irregularities and a fresh repoll order.

The Election Commission has ordered repolling in all 285 booths of the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on May 21 under strict security arrangements. Counting for the constituency will now be held on May 24.

The decision comes amid complaints of voter intimidation, alleged EVM tampering, and unauthorized presence inside polling stations during voting on April 29. Authorities said observers flagged multiple irregularities during the exercise.

Earlier, complaints had sought repolls in 77 booths across the state, including 32 booths in Falta alone.

Incidents reported during polling included allegations that the EVM button for a candidate was covered with tape at a booth in Falta, which was later removed by security forces. Separate claims of similar interference were also raised in other booths.

Security personnel also used force outside a polling station in the Belsingh area following allegations of attempted voter influence, triggering protests in which some voters, including women and a child, were reportedly injured.

The Election Commission has directed authorities to ensure full security deployment, webcasting, micro-observer presence and videography to prevent any recurrence of malpractice during the repoll.

The constituency is witnessing a triangular contest involving Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, BJP’s Debangshu Panda, Congress nominee Abdur Razzak Molla, and CPI(M)’s Sambhu Nath Kurmi.

The two-phase elections in the state were held on April 23 and April 29.

Reacting to the repoll order, BJP leaders welcomed the move, claiming it exposed electoral malpractice, while Trinamool Congress leaders strongly rejected the allegations and accused the opposition of political targeting.

Source NDTV