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EVMs Taped To Block Votes, Scent Smeared To Find Voters: Bengal Repoll Report
The Election Commission ordered fresh voting in Falta after finding irregularities including tampering with ballot units, booth-capturing, and possible identification of voters via perfume and ink. The Bengal chief electoral officer then recommended cancelling polling in Falta due to loss of EVM and ballot integrity.
Why It Matters
The findings indicate attempts to subvert the electoral process in Falta, prompting a full repoll and highlighting concerns over the integrity of the election in that constituency.
Timeline
2 Events
Bengal CEO recommends cancellation of Falta polling
May 3, 2026
Following the EC report, the Bengal chief electoral officer formally recommended cancellation of polling in Falta due to the scale of irregularities and loss of electronic and ballot integrity cited in the EC assessment, including extensive booth‑capturing that undermined the election.
EC orders fresh voting in Falta
May 3, 2026
The Election Commission directed fresh voting in all 285 polling stations of Falta assembly constituency. The voting day is set for May 21 and counting for May 24. The order followed an EC report detailing irregularities such as the use of black tapes on ballot unit buttons to block votes, reports of booth‑capturing, and other violations that allegedly compromised poll integrity, including perfume and ink applied to identify voters for a particular candidate and long gaps in video feeds with problematic storage chips.