UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — EC announces repolling in all 285 stations of Falta in Bengal

Q1. In the context of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the term 'booth capturing' is most precisely defined as which one of the following?

• A. Seizure of a polling station and making polling authorities surrender ballot papers/voting machines, or preventing electors from exercising their franchise through threat or force
• B. Tampering with the electronic voting machine after the close of poll but before transportation to the strong room
• C. Impersonation of an elector by a person who is not entitled to vote at that polling station
• D. Refusal by the presiding officer to allow polling agents of recognised political parties inside the polling station

Q2. Of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal that went to the polls in the 2026 General Election, which one was the sole constituency whose result was withheld on the original counting day (May 4, 2026) on account of the Election Commission ordering a constituency-wide repoll?

• A. Bhabanipur
• B. Nandigram
• C. Falta
• D. Diamond Harbour

Q3. The constitutional authority that ordered the repolling at all 285 polling stations of the Falta Assembly constituency in 2026 derives its plenary power of 'superintendence, direction and control' of elections from which one of the following?

• A. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice, acting through its Legislative Department
• B. The Election Commission of India, under Article 324 of the Constitution
• C. The Ministry of Home Affairs, exercising powers under the Representation of the People Act, 1950
• D. The State Election Commission of West Bengal, under Article 243K of the Constitution

Q4. With reference to the repolling ordered by the Election Commission in the Falta Assembly constituency (2026) as compared to a routine repoll under Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike a typical Section 58 repoll which is confined to one or a few polling stations, the Falta order extended to all 285 polling stations of the constituency. 2. The Falta repoll was conducted only after a fresh notification countermanding the original general election and inviting fresh nominations. 3. The grounds invoked in Falta included intimidation of electors and physical tampering of Ballot Units of EVMs through application of adhesive tape and perfume. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Unlike a typical Section 58 repoll which is confined to one or a few polling stations, the Falta order extended to all 285 polling stations of the constituency.
2. The Falta repoll was conducted only after a fresh notification countermanding the original general election and inviting fresh nominations.
3. The grounds invoked in Falta included intimidation of electors and physical tampering of Ballot Units of EVMs through application of adhesive tape and perfume.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Election Commission's May 2026 order for repolling in the Falta Assembly constituency, which of the following are correctly identified as official grounds/features of the order as recorded by the ECI? 1. Application of black adhesive tape and perfume on the buttons of the Ballot Units of EVMs. 2. Unauthorized presence of political party cadres inside polling stations. 3. Conduct of the repoll across all 285 polling stations of the constituency on May 21, 2026. 4. Use of postal ballots in lieu of EVMs for the entire repoll on grounds of EVM unreliability. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Application of black adhesive tape and perfume on the buttons of the Ballot Units of EVMs.
2. Unauthorized presence of political party cadres inside polling stations.
3. Conduct of the repoll across all 285 polling stations of the constituency on May 21, 2026.
4. Use of postal ballots in lieu of EVMs for the entire repoll on grounds of EVM unreliability.

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4