Repoll Ordered at 15 Polling Stations in South 24 Parganas Ahead of Counting Day

The Election Commission of India has announced that repolling will take place at 15 polling booths in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. This crucial decision is set for Saturday, with voting scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm. The affected booths include 11 located in the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four in the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency.

This repolling comes in the wake of issues reported during the second phase of the Assembly elections, which occurred earlier in the week on Wednesday. Following a thorough assessment, the Election Commission deemed the original polls at these booths void, invoking Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act of 1951. This section provides the Commission with the authority to nullify elections in cases of irregularities.

The decision for repolling was informed by the findings of returning officers and observers who monitored the electoral process. Their reports highlighted discrepancies that warranted immediate action to uphold the integrity of the electoral exercise, ensuring that voters’ rights are adequately protected.

As the state prepares for this fresh round of voting, officials are keen to maintain transparency and order. Election Commission officials have emphasized the importance of a smooth conduct of the repolling process, which is a critical step in restoring voters’ faith in the democratic process. Counting of votes from this repolling event is scheduled for the following Monday, adding to the anticipation surrounding the election results.

This repolling initiative underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to fair and just elections, particularly in a politically vibrant state like West Bengal, where every vote counts. Political parties are advised to ensure that their representatives are present at the booths during the repolling to observe the proceedings and safeguard the electoral process.

Source: scroll.in