The Election Commission of India has ordered a complete repoll in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency, declaring the April 29 election seriously vitiated. The decision follows reports of EVM tampering, procedural lapses, and alleged booth interference and voter intimidation. The fresh polling is scheduled for May 21, after irregularities surfaced around the voting machines.
Ahead of West Bengal polls 2026, IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma has been deployed in Falta, South 24 Parganas, backed by a large CRPF team to identify and deter voter intimidators. The move follows complaints of threats, and Sharma’s campaign presence has triggered a public challenge from Trinamool candidate Jahangir Khan, who likened himself to the character Pushpa.
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Uttar Pradesh IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, known for high-profile encounters, issued a stern warning in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas after complaints from the Falta constituency. He led raids and warned the family of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan amid accusations of voter intimidation, and also flagged irregularities in Khan’s security deployment. The incident is now drawing political heat ahead of the 2026 elections.
Encounter specialist Ajay Pal Sharma, posted as a police observer in South 24 Parganas, issued an on camera warning against alleged voter intimidation and “badmaashi” ahead of West Bengal’s Phase 2 polling on April 29. The viral clip has triggered a sharp BJP vs TMC fight, with opposition leaders alleging bias while BJP cites crackdown efforts.
West Bengal’s 2026 assembly election battle is heating up in Nandigram, where the TMC accuses police of acting in BJP’s favour. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari alleges TMC-backed individuals are threatening voters. Both sides have filed complaints as polling continues under heavy security across multiple districts, raising concerns over the fairness of the process.
Ahead of the Bengal assembly polls, an NIA crackdown in Mothabari, Malda, has triggered an electoral exodus. Men are reportedly fleeing villages out of fear of the agency, leaving behind a “ghost electorate.” Residents who had fought to get back on voter rolls are now prioritizing safety over voting, after a reported assault on judicial officers. Parties trade blame as the crisis unfolds.
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During West Bengal assembly polling in Domkal, Murshidabad, voters alleged intimidation and threats, claiming armed individuals created fear and disrupted voting. The Election Commission has ordered a report on the charges. Security forces were later deployed, voting resumed under escort, and the situation reportedly improved after intervention.
The Election Commission of India has directed West Bengal’s Director General of Police to take strict preventive measures against 800 individuals flagged for voter intimidation and attempts to disrupt elections. The EC said more than 500 suspects have already been arrested and stressed accountability across every police level, warning against any lapses as polling unfolds.
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