Magrahat Paschim, Diamond Harbour: A Look At The Bengal Seats Where Repolling Will Take Place

Last Updated:May 01, 2026, 19:13 IST

ECI orders repolling on May 2 at 15 booths in Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour after alleged EVM tampering, BJP blames TMC, tensions rise in West Bengal polls.

The Election Commission of India on Friday ordered repolling at 15 polling stations across two key assembly constituencies in West Bengal — Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour, following complaints of alleged vote tampering during the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections.

According to the poll body, fresh voting will be conducted on May 2 at 11 polling stations in 142-Magrahat Paschim Assembly Constituency and four polling stations in 143-Diamond Harbour Assembly Constituency, both located in South 24 Parganas district.

The ECI declared the polling conducted at these booths on April 29 as void under Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Why Was Repolling Ordered?

The decision came after the Election Commission received multiple complaints alleging tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in several constituencies, including Falta, Magrahat, Diamond Harbour and Budge Budge.

According to complaints raised mainly by the Bharatiya Janata Party, buttons corresponding to BJP candidates on EVMs were allegedly covered using black tape, adhesive substances, ink and even perfume in an attempt to conceal candidate names and confuse voters.

Sources later said that at least 23 cases of alleged vote tampering were prima facie confirmed by authorities, including 20 cases from Falta alone.

The second phase of Bengal polling, held on April 29, witnessed widespread political confrontation and allegations between rival parties, with BJP accusing the ruling All India Trinamool Congress of attempting to influence voting through EVM manipulation claims. TMC, however, rejected the allegations.

Magrahat Paschim: A Key Minority-Dominated Seat

Magrahat Paschim, located in South 24 Parganas, is considered a politically significant minority-dominated constituency where the TMC has traditionally maintained strong influence.

In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, TMC candidate Giasuddin Molla retained the seat by defeating BJP’s Manas Kumar Ghosh by a comfortable margin. The constituency has long witnessed triangular contests involving TMC, BJP and Left-backed candidates, though TMC has remained dominant in recent elections.

In 2026, the seat saw Giasuddin Molla and Goursundar Ghosh of BJP contesting the seat.

Local issues such as rural infrastructure, minority welfare, employment and political violence often dominate campaigning in the constituency.

Diamond Harbour: TMC Stronghold Under Spotlight

Diamond Harbour remains one of the most politically high-profile regions in Bengal due to its association with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who represents the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency in Parliament. He is the newphew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The Assembly segment has consistently backed the TMC in recent years. In the 2021 Assembly elections, TMC candidate Pannalal Halder won the Diamond Harbour Assembly seat by a massive margin against BJP challenger Dipak Kumar Halder.

The constituency is seen as a symbolic stronghold for the ruling party, making any controversy surrounding polling there politically sensitive.

Political Tensions Intensify

The repoll order has further intensified political tensions in the state, with opposition parties demanding stricter monitoring of polling stations and enhanced EVM security measures in the remaining phases of the elections.

The Bengal Assembly elections have already witnessed repeated allegations of violence, intimidation and procedural irregularities, turning the state into one of the most closely watched political battlegrounds in the country.

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