A security official keeps vigil as people wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling station in Bolpur, Birbhum district in the first phase of elections in West Bengal on Thursday (April 23). Photo: PTI
No repoll ordered in any polling stations in TN, West Bengal: EC officials
An official said reports from the ground did not flag any significant irregularities; inputs from observers, micro-observers, and field officials were carefully examined as part of its post-poll scrutiny
No repoll has been recommended in any of the polling stations in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu where assembly elections were held on Thursday (April 23), the Election Commission officials said on Saturday (April 25).
While all 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu went to vote in a single phase, 152 seats in West Bengal voted in the first phase. The remaining 142 seats in West Bengal will go to the polls on April 29.
An official said that reports from the ground did not flag any significant irregularities that could compromise the integrity of the voting process.
“No repoll has been recommended,” the official confirmed, noting that all standard verification procedures were followed before taking the decision.
Robust scrutiny and oversight
The EC said inputs from observers, micro-observers, and field officials were carefully examined as part of its post-poll scrutiny. These mechanisms, along with the deployment of central forces, were aimed at ensuring a free and fair election environment across sensitive areas.
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Officials emphasised that no incident of sufficient gravity was reported to warrant fresh polling at any booth.
Peaceful polling in West Bengal
The EC said that no repoll has been recommended in any of the 44,376 polling stations in West Bengal where voting was held during the first phase on April 23, indicating a largely peaceful electoral exercise.
The April 23 polling covered 152 constituencies spread across 16 districts of the state. According to the Commission, the phase recorded a high voter turnout of 92.6 per cent, one of the strongest participation rates in recent elections.
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While provisional turnout figures have been released, the Commission said detailed verification is still underway. The final turnout percentage will be confirmed once the scrutiny of polling data is completed.
Next phase on schedule in WB
The next round of voting in West Bengal is scheduled for April 29. The Commission has not indicated any changes to the polling timetable, suggesting that the election process is proceeding as planned.
(With agency inputs)