Peaceful Falta repoll records over 20% turnout in two hours; Trinamool agents stay away
The Statesman | 21 May 2026
Repolling in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency began on a calm note on Thursday, with over 20 per cent voting recorded within the first two hours and long queues visible outside polling booths since early morning. The absence of Trinamool Congress polling agents and shuttered party offices across the constituency added a striking political dimension to the fresh election exercise ordered by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The repoll, being conducted across all 285 polling stations in the South 24 Parganas constituency, was ordered after the ECI cited “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during polling held on April 29. The fresh voting is being seen as a crucial test in a seat that had witnessed allegations of intimidation, booth capture and voter suppression during the Assembly election.
According to Election Commission data, 20.47 per cent voting was recorded till 9 am. Officials said polling remained peaceful across the constituency, with no reports of violence or electoral malpractice in the opening hours.
Security deployment remained exceptionally high, with 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) stationed across the constituency. Voters said the presence of central forces had created confidence among residents who claimed they had been unable to vote freely in previous elections.
Many people standing in queues outside polling booths said this was the first time in years they felt comfortable casting their votes.
“My entire family supports Trinamool Congress, but after 2011, we were never allowed to vote properly. This time we are voting without fear because of the security arrangements,” a voter told reporters while waiting outside a polling station.
The Trinamool Congress’s organisational absence was visible across Falta during the repoll. Polling agents of the ruling party were missing from all 285 booths, while temporary party camps were nowhere to be seen.
The main office of Trinamool candidate Jahangir Khan remained shut during polling hours. Khan, once considered the dominant political face in the constituency, was also not present at his residence in the Srirampur area.
Khan had announced his withdrawal from the contest earlier this week, saying he wanted “peace and development” in Falta. However, since the withdrawal came after the election process had advanced, his name continued to remain on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), making the decision symbolic rather than procedural.
The Trinamool Congress later clarified that Khan’s decision was personal and not endorsed by the party.
Meanwhile, polling agents and camps of the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress were active in different parts of the constituency in compliance with ECI norms.
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda claimed the atmosphere remained peaceful and festive throughout the morning.
“The atmosphere is fine, there is no problem. Voters are coming, casting their votes and leaving. BJP will win,” Panda told ANI.
Taking a swipe at Jahangir Khan, Panda used a film reference while attacking the Trinamool leader.
“I don’t know where Pushpa (Jahangir Khan) is. He has realised that they won’t get more than 5-7,000 votes,” he said.
Panda also claimed that the BJP would register a massive victory margin in the constituency.
Polling in Falta began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 24.
The BJP had formed the government in West Bengal after winning 207 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, with Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as Chief Minister.