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Peaceful Re-Polling at 15 Booths in Bengal, 16.23% Turnout in First Two Hours

Re-polling at 15 polling booths under two Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, began peacefully on Saturday. The average polling percentage across all booths was 16.23% in the first two hours until 9 AM. Voters reported no tension, though some questioned the justification for re-polling. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Key Points: Bengal Re-Polling: 16.23% Voter Turnout in First Two Hours

  • Peaceful re-polling at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas
  • 16.23% average polling in first two hours
  • Blanket central and state security in place
  • Voters question need for re-polling citing no prior violence
2 min read

Peaceful re-polling at 15 booths in Bengal so far, 16.23 pc polling in 1st two hours

Re-polling at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, remains peaceful with 16.23% average polling in first two hours under central security.

"There had been absolutely no tension on the re-polling day. - Voters at Diamond Harbour and Magrahat (Paschim) booths"

Kolkata, May 2

The re-polling at 15 polling booths under two Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, that started since 7 A.M. on Saturday has been peaceful so far.

The polling process is going on under blanket security coverage of central forces assisted by personnel from the state police forces

The average polling percentage in all the 15 polling booths combined had been 16.23 in the first two hours of polling till 9 A.M.

The average polling percentage for the 11 polling booths under the Magrahat (Paschim) Assembly constituency stood at 16.58 till 9 A.M. On the other hand, the average polling percentage in the four polling booths under Diamond Harbour constituency had been 15.83 per cent, as per figures provided by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal.

Even the voters standing at the queues of the polling booths, both in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat (Paschim) constituencies, told media persons that there had been absolutely no tension on the re-polling day.

However, some of the voters standing in queues in some booths at Magrahat (Paschim) said they did not understand the justification for re-polling in their respective booths. They contended that they did not witness any violence on the main polling day which was on April 29.

Voting is taking place at booths 46, 126, 127, 128, 142, 214, 215, 216, 230, 231, 232 in Magrahat (Paschim) and 117, 179, 194, 243 in Diamond Harbour.

Officially, the polling at these 15 booths will continue till 6 P.M. However, in case some voters are found standing at the queue at 6 P.M., then polling will continue until the last voter will cast his vote.

Both Diamond Harbour and Magrahat (Paschim) Assembly constituencies went for polls in the second phase of the two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal on April 29.

The two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal were conducted on April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, there was polling for 152 Assembly constituencies and in the second phase there was polling for the remaining 142 Assembly constituencies.

The counting will be conducted on May 4 and the results will be declared on the same day.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

M
Michael C
It's reassuring that re-polling is peaceful. The fact that voters say no violence occurred on main polling day raises questions about the re-poll decision though. Hope the EC has solid justification for this - transparency is key in democracy. Otherwise, people lose trust.
A
Arun Y
Blanket security cover is needed in Bengal booths - no doubt about that. But voters wondering 'keno re-polling?' (why re-polling?) is a valid concern. If there was no violence on April 29, the EC should clarify why these 15 booths needed re-voting. Democracy runs on faith, not confusion.
J
Jessica F
Interesting - 15 booths across two constituencies. The Diamond Harbour seat is high-profile (Abhishek Banerjee's constituency), so re-polling there attracts attention. Hope voters exercise their rights without fear. The EC's decision must stand on evidence, not just claims. Counting on May 4 will reveal much.
R
Ravi K
16.23% polling in first two hours - that's decent for a Saturday re-poll. Many people might be working or have household chores early. The important thing is that central forces presence deterred any mischief. Let's hope the remaining hours see high turnout. Bengal's democracy needs this credibility boost.
K
Kavya N
The fact that voters themselves are questioning the re-poll justification is telling. In a democracy, citizens should feel their vote counts and re-polls happen only for genuine reasons like booth capturing or violence. If the EC acted on complaints without proof, that's worrying. But if there was tampering, then re-poll is justified. More clarity needed.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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