India, May 24 -- Counting of votes for the re-poll in West Bengal's Falta Assembly segment is underway, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opening up a significant lead after the fifth round of counting.

According to the latest trends after Round 5 of a total of 21 rounds, BJP candidate Debangshu Panda has secured 30,562 votes, while the CPI(M) stands at 16,048 votes.

The Congress has polled 3,510 votes and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is trailing with 1,685 votes.

The BJP is currently leading by 14,514 votes over the CPI(M).

Why was a re-poll held?

The Election Commission had ordered a re-poll in select booths of the Falta Assembly constituency following allegations of electoral irregularities and disturbances during polling.

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