‘If buttons taped, repoll’, says West Bengal CEO after BJP flags EVM issue in Diamond Harbour
The Statesman | 29 April 2026
Amid allegations of voting irregularities in West Bengal’s Falta, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer on Wednesday said any confirmed case of EVM button tampering would lead to repolling at the affected booths.
The statement came during the second phase of Assembly polling, as the BJP accused officials of preventing voters from selecting its candidate in parts of the Diamond Harbour constituency.
The CEO said such complaints would be verified on the ground. “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” the official said.
The controversy was triggered by BJP leader Amit Malviya, who claimed that in several polling booths in Falta, the option to vote for the party had been blocked using tape.
In a post on X, Malviya termed the alleged practice the “Diamond Harbour Model” and demanded a repoll in the affected areas. He also linked the claim to remarks by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and referenced a TMC candidate contesting from the constituency.
The Diamond Harbour seat is witnessing a repeat contest between BJP’s Dipak Kumar Halder and TMC’s sitting MLA Panna Lal Halder, who had won the last election by a margin of 16,996 votes.
‘Diamond Harbour Model’: BJP releases video of party button on EVM blocked by tape at booths
Meanwhile, polling continued across 142 constituencies in the second phase, with voter turnout reaching 39.97 per cent till 11 am.
According to the Election Commission, Purba Bardhaman recorded the highest turnout at 44.50 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 43.12 per cent. Kolkata North and Kolkata South saw turnout of 38.39 per cent and 36.78 per cent, respectively.
Counting of votes for the Assembly elections is scheduled for May 4.