Repolling in 15 polling booths in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district has got underway, with the Election Commission taking the decision based on reports of tampering with electronic voting machines. The repolling, which started at 7 am, is being held in 11 booths of Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and 4 booths of Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency.

The repolling has become a bone of contention between the BJP and TMC, with each party accusing the other of foul play. The BJP has welcomed the Election Commission's decision, saying that polling should have been taken in more booths of the two assembly segments. However, the TMC has blamed the BJP for the incidents that led to the repolling, calling it a "devious strategy" to "defame" the state.

The Election Commission had ordered the repolling based on reports received from the state poll machinery. In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, the EC had said that the poll taken on April 29 for the Assembly elections was void and that a fresh poll would be taken on May 2. The EC had also instructed the widest possible publicity to be given by beating of drums in the polling area, and contesting candidates to be informed in writing about the fresh poll.

The repolling has come at a time when the final phase of polling for the West Bengal Assembly elections has concluded, with a voter turnout of 90% recorded on April 29. Security arrangements are in place at strong rooms in Howrah ahead of the counting of votes on May 4.

The BJP had earlier alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during phase two of the Assembly elections. The party had claimed that in multiple booths, the BJP option was allegedly blocked using tape, calling it the "Diamond Harbour Model" and demanding a repoll in the affected areas.