Falta Assembly repolling in Bengal LIVE: Voting begins across 285 booths amid tight security

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said TMC's Falta candidate Jahangir Khan "ran away" from the re-election as he would not get any polling agents. "He had no other way, as he won't get a polling agent, so he decided to run away," the CM told the media. 

Falta falls under Abhishek Banerjee's Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, and some legislators raised pointed questions about his role and visibility during the campaign. Party insiders say this reflects deeper unease following electoral setbacks. The discussions come at a moment when Banerjee has kept a relatively low public profile after West Bengal Assembly election results.

TMC's internal meeting at Kalighat witnessed visible dissent after Jahangir Khan's abrupt withdrawal from the contest. Several MLAs reportedly questioned why Khan faced no disciplinary action and indirectly criticised senior leadership figures. The issue has revived internal debates over organisational control and decision-making.

The inquiry into the April 29 polling irregularities extended beyond EVM malfunction. Officials say the probe flagged concerns over presiding officers, booth-level staff, and even some observers. The findings eventually prompted the EC to countermand the vote and announce a full repoll.

The EC has significantly expanded surveillance inside and outside polling booths. Each booth will now have two cameras inside and one outside, with live webcasting monitored from the DEO and CEO offices. Drone surveillance is also being considered to ensure complete transparency throughout the day.

Thirty Quick Response Teams have been positioned across the constituency to deal with any disturbance during polling. Election officials say even minor unrest will trigger immediate intervention. The tightened security grid is meant to reassure voters amid heightened political tensions.

To secure all 285 polling stations, around 35 companies of central forces have been deployed across Falta. Poll officials say this is almost double the security presence during the April 29 vote that was later countermanded. The enhanced arrangements are part of the EC's "zero-tolerance" approach to malpractice.

Security has been sharply scaled up for the repoll in the Falta Assembly constituency, with the Election Commission nearly doubling deployment across all booths. Each location will now have one full section of eight CAPF personnel instead of the four deployed earlier. Officials say the move aims to eliminate any possibility of irregularities after last month’s EVM-tampering allegations.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate for Falta Assembly constituency Jahangir Khan announced the withdrawal of his nomination from the re-election for the Falta Assembly constituency. "I am a son of Falta's soil. I would want Falta to stay peaceful, healthy, and good. And I want more and more development for Falta. So let there be a Golden Falta, that was my dream. That's why our Chief Minister is giving a special package for the development of Falta. For that reason, I am withdrawing myself from the upcoming repoll contest on May 21," he said.

The voting has begus across all 285 booths in the Falta Assembly constituency. To ensure prompt action on any disturbances or complaints, 30 Quick Response Teams have been deployed across the region. Authorities say they are closely monitoring the situation to maintain a smooth and secure voting process.

The Election Commission ordered a complete repoll in Falta following widespread allegations of electoral malpractice during the original polling on April 29. Complaints included claims that EVM buttons linked to BJP candidates were covered with white tape at multiple polling stations. The seriousness of these accusations prompted the EC to take unprecedented action.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated Debangshu Panda to contest the repol. With Falta under heavy scrutiny, all eyes are now on how the BJP positions itself for the re-election. Vote counting is scheduled for May 24.

The contest took a dramatic turn when TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew from the race two days ahead of the repoll. The TMC clarified that his move was a "personal decision" and not a party directive. With Khan stepping aside, the repoll has become even more pivotal in the state's political narrative.

The Falta Assembly constituency has turned into one of the most closely watched battlegrounds of the 2026 West Bengal elections after being ordered for a repoll. Situated in South 24 Parganas and falling under the influential Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat, the constituency is witnessing intense political contestation. 

A mock poll is currently underway at the Falta polling station as officials prepare for today's repoll in the Falta Assembly constituency. Election teams are testing the systems and ensuring all arrangements are in order before voting resumes.