India, May 4 -- In a communication to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has "flagged allegations of voter intimidation, use of black tapes over buttons on ballot units to block votes and unauthorised presence inside booths," in reports from observers as reasons for fresh polls the Falta Assembly constituency. All 285 polling stations in the constituency will go to re-polls on May 21, with counting scheduled for May 24.

In its communication, the poll body said, considering the history of violence and intimidation and the partial/non-availability of footage, there appeared to be deliberate interference with the poll process. The observers' report has also pointed out that the Polling Button ...