Kolkata, May 21: The re-polling process in the Falta assembly constituency of West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district was conducted peacefully on Thursday, recording a significant voter turnout of 20.47% in the first two hours until 9 AM. Reports of violence, tension, or electoral malpractices were absent from any of the 285 polling booths.
The absence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) polling agents was notable, following the announcement by their candidate Jahangir Khan to withdraw from the elections last week. No temporary camp offices of the ruling party were visible in the constituency. Khan’s main party office was found shuttered and locked, a stark contrast to his previous influence in the area. Even TMC candidates were reportedly not present at their residences in the Shrirampur area of Falta.
In contrast, agents from major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), CPI(M), and Congress, were present at all polling booths. Temporary camp offices for these parties were also observed operating in various parts of Falta, with the required number of party workers as mandated by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Despite Khan’s withdrawal, his name still appeared on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) pad, rendering his announcement somewhat symbolic. Long queues of voters were seen outside polling booths from the start of voting at 7 AM, with the heat not dampening their enthusiasm.
Many voters expressed that they had only been able to cast their votes during the 2011 West Bengal assembly elections, which marked the end of 34 years of Left Front rule and the beginning of 15 years of TMC governance. One voter in line shared, “My entire family has traditionally supported TMC. However, we were not allowed to vote in any elections after 2011. Jahangir trusted only his loyal supporters. We couldn’t vote on April 29 during the second phase of the assembly elections, but this time we are voting without fear, thanks to the security arrangements made by the ECI.”
For the re-polling, a total of 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed, a significant number for a single assembly constituency.
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