Civic elections to be held in Kolkata, Howrah, 5 municipalities in first phase of Bengal ULB polls

Kolkata: Civic elections are likely to be held in Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporations and five municipalities in the first phase of urban local body (ULB) polls in West Bengal, the State Election Commission (SEC) said in a statement on Friday.

The commission, during the day, held a meeting with the district magistrates and district municipal election officers to review poll preparedness.

Later, it announced that the first phase of the civic polls may include Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporations and Bally, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Dhupguri and Haldia municipalities.


"The final decision and schedule will be communicated in due course," it said.

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The SEC said the amendment of Schedule II of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980 and the Howrah Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, and delimitation of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Dhupguri, Haldia and Jhargram municipalities have been completed.

The process of reservation of seats is underway and is scheduled to be finally published in Form B on October 7 for KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) and HMC (Howrah Municipal Corporation), and on October 6 for the municipalities, it said.

The electoral roll updated by the Election Commission till July 1 will be adopted in the first week of October. Its draft publication is scheduled in the second week of October and final publication in the first week of November.

"Preparatory work for polling stations will be carried out simultaneously, with district authorities and municipal election officers asked to inspect the stations and ensure assured minimum facilities," the poll body said.

The commission said more than 37,000 polling personnel would be required for around 6,300 polling booths. Presiding and polling officers would be appointed in accordance with statutory provisions.

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Electronic voting machines (EVMs) received from the EC on loan have been sub-allotted to the districts concerned and the lifting process is expected to be completed shortly. First-level checking of the machines is scheduled from September 29 to October 6, the statement said.

Sector arrangements are to be put in place by the first week of October, while detailed guidelines on vulnerability mapping and law and order arrangements would be issued by the commission.

The model code of conduct (MCC) will come into force from the date of the election notification and will apply only to the municipal areas going to polls, it said.

The SEC directed all district magistrates, district municipal election officers and election authorities concerned to complete the preparatory work within the stipulated timelines and maintain close coordination for the smooth conduct of the elections.