9 hrs ago
Bengal Election Commission Reviews Urban Poll Preparations
West Bengal plans to hold elections for several city and town councils by the end of the year.
The state election body held a meeting to check whether everything is ready.
District officials were asked to join the meeting.
Kolkata and Howrah are changing the boundaries and number of their election wards.
Kolkata may increase from 144 wards to about 211, while Howrah may increase from 50 to 68.
These changes affect where voters will be grouped.
The election body is worried that there may not be enough voting machines.
It has asked the Calcutta High Court to help resolve the issue because some machines are being kept for court cases related to earlier Assembly elections.
The West Bengal State Election Commission convened a meeting to review preparations for urban civic polls targeted by year-end.
District magistrates from areas holding elections were asked to attend the meeting.
The review includes the urban civic bodies’ prevailing situation and the availability of electronic voting machines.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation are undergoing delimitation before their elections.
The Commission says a shortage of EVMs could delay announcing the municipal elections and has sought an urgent Calcutta High Court hearing.
- Who
- The West Bengal State Election Commission, district magistrates, and officials involved in urban civic elections.
- What
- A meeting was convened to review preparations for elections to West Bengal’s municipal corporations and municipalities.
- Where
- West Bengal, including the Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporation areas; the legal request was made before the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- The meeting was convened today; the court matter is likely to be heard next week.
- Why
- To assess election readiness, including ward delimitation and EVM availability, and address a reported shortage of voting machines.
Key facts
- Election target
- Urban civic polls are targeted for completion by the end of the current calendar year.
- Main bodies highlighted
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation.
- Kolkata wards
- The draft proposal would increase wards from 144 to 209; the final figure is expected by the report to be 211.
- Howrah wards
- The draft proposal would increase wards from 50 to 68.
- Main concern
- The West Bengal State Election Commission cited a lack of EVMs for the municipal elections.
- Reason for EVM shortage
- Court orders in pending Assembly election petitions require the Election Commission of India to preserve EVMs, VVPATs, and other materials.
- Court hearing
- The Commission requested an urgent hearing before a Calcutta High Court division bench, with the matter likely to be heard next week.
Quotes
WBSEC insider
An unnamed insider from the West Bengal State Election Commission
“Several election petition cases related to the recent West Bengal Assembly polls earlier this year are pending in the Calcutta High Court.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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