Repolling is underway in the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Thursday, after the Election Commission ordered fresh voting for the seat, citing "severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process". Amid tight security, voting began at 7 am.
Over 2.36 lakh people, including 1.15 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes across 285 booths. A total of six candidates are in the fray, including TMC's Jahangir Khan, who announced his withdrawal from the race on Tuesday.
Though Khan announced that he is pulling out of the contest, his name remained on the EVMs as he could not officially withdraw his candidature. Other candidates include Debangshu Panda of the BJP, CPI(M)'s Sambhu Nath Kurmi, and Congress's Abdur Razzak Molla.
Announcing his decision to withdraw from the race, Khan said that his objective was to ensure peace and security in Falta. "My vision was 'Sonar Falta'. Our CM is providing a special package for the people of Falta. It is for this very reason that I am withdrawing my nomination," said Khan.
Meanwhile, the TMC stated that Khan's decision to opt out of the race was a personal one, not the party's.
A total of 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed for the repoll, the officials said.
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Political tensions have remained high in the constituency since allegations surfaced from multiple booths that perfume substances and adhesive tapes had been applied to EVMs during the earlier polling. Alleged tampering was detected in at least 60 booths.
Apart from the alleged EVM manipulation, authorities also found attempts to tamper with footage captured by web cameras installed at several polling stations.
The TMC has won the Falta seat since 2001, barring the 2006 assembly polls, when the CPI(M) bagged the seat.
The Falta repoll has drawn significant political attention, as the assembly seat falls within the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency—the parliamentary stronghold of TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
No rally or public meeting has been conducted in the constituency by Trinamool candidate Jahangir Khan or senior party leaders, including former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, during the campaign period since May 4.