West Bengal re-polling: Over 55% turnout in Magrahat Paschim, Diamond Harbour till 1 pm

Re-polling across 15 booths in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district began on Saturday amid tight security, with early voting figures indicating steady participation.

Magrahat Paschim registered 56.33 per cent voter turnout, while in Diamond Harbour, it was 54.9 per cent till 1 pm, a poll official stated. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, the official said, adding that till 1 pm, the turnout was 55.57 per cent.

Voters were seen lining up in large numbers to recast their ballots after the Election Commission ordered fresh polling following reported irregularities during the April 29 voting.


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Re-polling is being conducted at 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour, with personnel from the Rapid Action Force deployed to prevent disruptions.

The development follows allegations by the BJP that voters were obstructed from casting ballots in favour of its candidate at several booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during the second phase of polling.

The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, held earlier this week, recorded a high turnout of 92.67 per cent across 142 constituencies.

In Diamond Harbour, the BJP has fielded Dipak Kumar Halder against Trinamool Congress’s sitting MLA Panna Lal Halder, setting up a rematch after the latter’s victory in the previous election by a margin of 16,996 votes.

In Magrahat Paschim, the contest is between Trinamool Congress candidate Samim Ahamed Molla and BJP’s Goursundar Ghosh. The seat has been held by TMC’s Gias Uddin Molla since its inception in 2011.

Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.