Archive · 30 Jan 2026
West Bengal Prepares for Assembly Polls
Bus and minibus owners in West Bengal want the upcoming elections to be held in 10 phases.
They say this will help them move all the buses and minibuses needed for the elections more easily.
Right now, there are about 20,000 stage carriages and 5,100 buses and minibuses in the state.
The owners also want the election commission to pay more for hiring these vehicles and to give bus employees more money for their daily expenses.
Meanwhile, the election commission is preparing for the elections by increasing the number of polling stations in West Burdwan district.
They are splitting polling booths that have more than 1,200 voters to make sure everyone can vote smoothly.
The final list of voters will be published on 14 February.
West Bengal Bus and Minibus Owners’ Association seeks 10-phase assembly polls for smooth vehicle mobilisation.
Association demands increase in bus hiring rates from Rs 2,510 to Rs 3,200 and mini bus rates from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,800.
Proposed daily expenses for bus employees increased from Rs 170 to Rs 500.
Association requests early release of hiring amounts on a 70-30 per cent basis.
Election Commission to consider the demands and take an appropriate decision.
District poll department proposes more polling stations in West Burdwan to accommodate more voters.
Polling booths with more than 1,200 voters will be divided to create new polling stations.
- Who
- West Bengal Bus and Minibus Owners’ Association, Election Commission of India
- What
- Preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections, including proposals for more polling stations and smooth vehicle mobilisation
- When
- Upcoming assembly elections likely within a few months
- Where
- West Bengal, India, specifically West Burdwan district
- Why
- To better mobilise a large fleet of private stage carriages, conduct elections smoothly, and accommodate more voters
- Number of stage carriages
- 20,000
- Number of buses and mini buses
- 5,100
- Current bus hiring rate
- Rs 2,510
- Proposed bus hiring rate
- Rs 3,200
- Current mini bus hiring rate
- Rs 1,900
- Proposed mini bus hiring rate
- Rs 2,800
- Current daily expenses for bus employees
- Rs 170
- Proposed daily expenses for bus employees
- Rs 500
- Number of Assembly constituencies in West Burdwan
- 9
- Proposed voter limit for polling stations
- 1,200
- Final voters’ list publication date
- 14 February
