The voter turnout for the repolling conducted across two constituencies in West Bengal has reached an impressive 86.9% by 5 PM on May 2. This significant engagement in the electoral process includes a turnout of 87.6% in the Diamond Harbour assembly constituency and 86.11% in Magrahat Paschim. Repolling has taken place at 15 booths, following instructions from the Election Commission of India (ECI) due to reports of alleged tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the second phase of assembly elections held on April 29.

Voting has proceeded amid rainy conditions, with voters forming queues outside polling stations in the Magrahat Paschim constituency, located in the South 24 Parganas district. The repolling process is backed by stringent security measures to ensure a smooth electoral experience.

The ECI has put in place both Additional Counting Observers and Police Observers to oversee the counting of votes, ensuring that the proceedings are carried out in a secure, transparent, and intimidation-free manner. This is mandated under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Observer Deployment and Security Measures

The appointment of Additional Counting Observers aims to assist Counting Observers across 165 Assembly Constituencies that feature multiple Counting Halls. Meanwhile, Police Observers are responsible for monitoring security arrangements surrounding the Counting Centres assigned to them. These observers are tasked with ensuring that the operations remain compliant with ECI directives.

Importantly, Police Observers will not enter Counting Halls during the counting of votes. They are required to work closely with Counting Observers and other electoral personnel to maintain law and order throughout the counting period. To safeguard the integrity of the counting process, Identity Cards for Returning Officers (ROs), counting staff, candidates, and their agents will be issued through a dedicated module in ECINet, the ECI’s official platform.

The entry into counting centres will rely on QR code-based Photo IDs that the ROs will provide. Additionally, only Counting Observers and Returning Officers are allowed to bring mobile phones into the Counting Hall.

Counting Process and Future Events

Moreover, micro-observers will also be deployed at each counting table to independently record results displayed on the Control Unit. They will hand this information to Counting Observers after each counting round for verification purposes.

The final phase of polling for the West Bengal assembly elections concluded at 6 PM on April 29, having recorded remarkable overall voter turnout figures of 92.67%. The counting of votes is set to occur on May 4, marking a crucial step in the election timeline.

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