Election Commission of India completes scrutiny, rules out repoll in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Saturday it had found no need for repolls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu after completing scrutiny of polling documents from recent assembly elections.
The ECI said it carried out post-poll scrutiny of Form 17A (Register of Voters) and related records on April 24 across all constituencies that went to polls in the first phase in West Bengal and across Tamil Nadu.
In West Bengal, scrutiny was conducted in all 152 assembly constituencies in the presence of general observers and more than 600 candidates or their representatives. All 1,478 candidates had been informed in advance about the process. No repoll was recommended across 44,376 polling stations that voted on April 23.
In Tamil Nadu, scrutiny was carried out in all 234 constituencies with general observers and 1,825 candidates or their representatives present. All 4,023 candidates had been notified beforehand. No repoll was recommended across 75,064 polling stations that went to polls on April 23.
The ECI said the entire scrutiny process was videographed and that Form 17A records and related materials were re-sealed after examination.
Electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT units have been stored in sealed strong rooms under round-the-clock security, including a double-lock system and CCTV surveillance, the commission said.
Officials have been directed to regularly inspect the strong rooms, while candidates’ representatives are allowed to monitor the premises, it added.
