1 week ago
Opposition parties challenge Calcutta ward delimitation based on voter counts
Calcutta is planning to divide its city into more municipal wards.
The number of wards would rise from 144 to 209.
Opposition parties say the divisions should use population figures, not only voter counts.
They also say the government should have waited until the census was finished.
Some voters may still be affected by decisions about their voter status.
Parties are asking officials to publish which polling booths belong to each ward.
They also want more time to study the draft and submit objections.
Officials say the goal is for each ward to contain about 14,000 to 18,000 voters.
After objections are heard, officials may change the proposed boundaries.
Opposition parties urged that Calcutta’s ward boundaries be based on population rather than voter numbers.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s wards are set to increase from 144 to 209.
Parties questioned revising boundaries before Census 2027 is completed and voter appeals are resolved.
They sought publicly available booth-to-ward details and, in many cases, more time to file objections.
The deadline for objections is September 3, followed by hearings and possible draft modifications.
- Who
- Opposition parties, Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, and other political leaders are involved; Smita Pandey is the KMC administrator and commissioner.
- What
- The proposed delimitation would increase the number of Kolkata Municipal Corporation wards from 144 to 209.
- Where
- The proposed changes concern the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area in Calcutta, including wards in the Maniktala Assembly constituency.
- When
- The all-party meeting was held on Tuesday; objections and suggestions can be filed until September 3, with Census 2027 underway in the state.
- Why
- Officials say the aim is to create wards with 14,000 to 18,000 voters, while opposition parties say the process should use population data and provide more public information.
Political parties’ concerns
Authorities’ stated process
Basis for delimitation
Political parties’ concerns
Opposition parties said ward boundaries should be based on population, and questioned using voter strength while appeals involving 27 lakh voters remain undecided.
Authorities’ stated process
Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials said one purpose of the revision is to divide wards so that each contains between 14,000 and 18,000 voters.
Timing of the revision
Political parties’ concerns
Several parties said the state government should have waited until Census 2027 was completed before revising the boundaries.
Authorities’ stated process
The authorities have proceeded with a draft delimitation and invited claims and objections by September 3.
Public information and implementation
Political parties’ concerns
Political leaders said the public needs booth numbers for each ward and raised concerns about limited information, rushed changes, and infrastructure in the proposed 209 wards.
Authorities’ stated process
Officials said a hearing officer will review objections and can order modifications to the draft boundaries when necessary.
Key facts
- Current wards
- 144
- Proposed wards
- 209
- Officials’ voter target
- 14,000 to 18,000 voters per ward
- Objection deadline
- September 3
- Boundary description
- The draft identifies roads forming the northern, southern, eastern, and western boundaries of each ward.
- Next step
- A hearing will be held on submitted claims and objections, after which the draft may be modified.
- Census status
- Census 2027 is underway in the state.
Quotes
Ashutosh Chatterjee
Congress leader who criticized the basis and timing of the delimitation.
“They can submit claims and objections. A hearing will follow. The hearing officer will pass an order. Modification (to the draft of revised ward boundaries) can be done if the hearing officer’s order says that modification is required.”
telegraphindia.com
“How would people know what their new ward is? The authorities have not shared the booth numbers for each ward. Unless the booth numbers for each ward are in the public domain, how will people know their ward number?”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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