Special roll observer Subrata Gupta to visit strong room at Diamond Harbour Women’s College

The Election Commission of India has intensified its scrutiny following the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, directing a ground-level inspection before taking any decision on re-polling. On the instructions of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, special observer Subrata Gupta has been tasked with personally visiting locations where complaints have been reported, marking a departure from the usual report-based review process.

This move comes after demands for re-polling surfaced from 77 booths across four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district immediately after the second phase of polling. According to Commission inputs, 32 complaints were reported from Falta, 29 from Diamond Harbour, 13 from Magrahat, and 3 from Budge Budge, prompting the Commission to adopt a stricter, on-ground verification approach.

The nature of the allegations has raised serious concerns, with claims ranging from EVM buttons being covered with tape to substances like perfume being sprayed on machines. There are also reports of cameras being covered during polling, and a separate allegation suggesting that a spy camera was used to monitor voters’ choices in one instance, adding to the gravity of the situation.

Special observer Subrata Gupta, along with other officials, is now conducting field visits to verify these complaints directly at the booths concerned. The Commission has made it clear that any confirmed violation of electoral norms could lead to immediate corrective action, including re-polling in affected areas.

Based on the findings of these inspections, the Commission is expected to take a final decision on the extent and locations of re-polling. If the process is completed swiftly, re-polling in identified booths may be conducted as early as Friday, as authorities maintain a “zero tolerance” stance on electoral irregularities.