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West Bengal Sets September Delimitation Deadline for Municipal Polls

West Bengal is preparing to hold elections for eight municipalities.

Election officials asked districts to finish drawing the boundaries of municipal wards by the second week of September.

They also discussed voter lists, polling stations, voting machines and election staff.

Kolkata will have 209 wards instead of 144.

Howrah will have 68 wards instead of 50.

Officials are also working out which seats will be reserved.

Draft reservation plans may be published in September, and final plans are expected in October.

The commission wants the elections to be conducted fairly and peacefully by December 7, 2026.

Key facts

Election coverage: Eight municipalities are expected to vote: Kolkata, Howrah, Bally, Haldia, Jhargram, Dhupguri, Kalimpong and Kurseong.
Delimitation deadline: The ward delimitation process is to be completed by the second week of September.
Election target: The commission is working toward completing the municipal polls by December 7, 2026.
Kolkata wards: Kolkata’s ward count has increased from 144 to 209.
Howrah wards: Howrah’s ward count has increased from 50 to 68.
Reservation schedule: Draft reservation orders are proposed for mid-September; final orders are expected in the last week of October.
Voter rolls: The electoral rolls published by the Election Commission of India on July 1 will be used.

thestatesman.com · 1 hr ago