Election Commission Reviews Repoll Possibility and Counting Centre Arrangements

MP, May 1, 2026, Kolkata: The Election Commission on Thursday did not rule out the possibility of a repoll in some booths in the state, stating that a full scrutiny report from the field level is still awaited, even as it indicated that the number of counting centres may be reduced.

Special Observer Subrata Gupta, under directions of the apex poll body, visited booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour and other areas of South 24 Parganas to examine 77 complaints related to malfunctioning or alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

“Scrutiny has been completed in Nadia, East Burdwan, Kolkata North and Kolkata South, and there will be no repoll there. The final report is awaited from South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly and Howrah. We expect that repoll, if any, will be held on May 2 or May 3. The Election Commission of India will take the final call, and we will inform people at least a day in advance so that they can cast their franchise,” said State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal.

He added that the poll body is adopting a zero-tolerance approach and that a repoll will be ordered wherever confirmed instances of EVM tampering or manipulation are found to have vitiated the poll.

According to officials, the highest number of EVM-related complaints — 32 — came from Falta, followed by Diamond Harbour (29), Mograhat (13) and Budge Budge (3), all in South 24 Parganas.

The poll body, which currently has 77 counting centres, indicated that the number may be reduced.

“As per rules, there should be at least one counting centre in each district headquarters. However, we also have centres at the subdivision level. If large venues such as Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata are used, the number of centres may be reduced further. We are assessing the situation in consultation with district electoral officers,” the CEO said.

In the 2016 Assembly elections, counting was conducted across 90 centres, which increased to 108 in 2021.

To prevent unauthorised entry into counting centres, the Election Commission has introduced a QR code-based photo identity card module on ECINET.

The cards will be issued to authorised personnel, including returning officers, assistant returning officers, counting staff, technical personnel, candidates, election agents and counting agents.

A three-tier security mechanism has been prescribed for identity verification.

At the first and second levels, photo identity cards issued by the returning officer will be checked manually.

At the third and innermost cordon near the counting hall, entry will be allowed only after successful QR code verification.

Counting of votes on May 4 will begin at 8 am.