A high voter turnout was recorded during the peaceful repolling for the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Thursday, with 60.43 per cent voting recorded till 1 p.m. amid tight security arrangements. Earlier, 20.47 per cent polling was registered within the first two hours of voting, reflecting strong voter enthusiasm despite the scorching summer heat.
The repolling across all 285 polling booths began at 7 a.m. under heavy deployment of 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), following allegations of widespread electoral malpractices during the original polling held on April 29. Election officials expressed confidence that the final turnout could cross 90 per cent, similar to the recently concluded two-phase Assembly elections in the state.
Long queues of voters were witnessed throughout the constituency, with several residents claiming they were able to vote freely for the first time in years. Many voters alleged they had been prevented from casting votes in previous elections but praised the Election Commission's security arrangements during the repoll.
Notably, the ruling Trinamool Congress was largely absent from the polling scene. Although party candidate Jahangir Khan had announced his symbolic withdrawal from the contest last week, his name continued to appear on the EVMs. Trinamool polling agents and temporary camp offices were missing across the constituency, while polling agents from the BJP, CPI(M), and Congress were present at all booths.
The Election Commission of India ordered the repolling for the entire Falta constituency after receiving multiple complaints of violence and electoral irregularities during the April 29 polling. The results of the repoll are scheduled to be declared on May 24.
