First Phase Bengal's Municipal

Political

First Phase Bengal's Municipal Polls Bugle Sounded, eyes on final schedule

The West Bengal State Election Commission has accelerated administrative preparations for the upcoming municipal elections. A press note issued following a meeting on Friday, attended by District Magistrates, District Municipal Election Officers, and top Commission officials, makes it clear that the task of seat delimitation, one of the most crucial pre-election steps, has been completed. Additionally, the Commission has largely clarified which municipal areas are likely to go to the polls in the first phase.

According to the Commission, the ward delimitation process has been completed for the Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations, as well as for the Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Dhupguri, Haldia, and Jhargram municipalities. The final stage of the reservation process is currently underway. The list of reserved wards for the Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations will be published on 7th October 2026. Meanwhile, the reservation lists for the other municipalities, including Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Dhupguri, Haldia, and Jhargram, will be published on 6th October 2026.

According to a section of the West Bengal State Election Commission administration, the completion of the seat delimitation and reservation process effectively removes one of the major administrative hurdles standing in the way of announcing the polls. Consequently, this move by the Commission clearly indicates that preparations for announcing the municipal election schedule are proceeding rapidly.

Most significantly, the Commission's press note indicates that the first phase of voting could cover the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Howrah Municipal Corporation, and the municipalities of Bally, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Dhupguri, and Haldia. Although the Commission has not yet announced the final schedule, political circles believe that by releasing the list of municipal areas likely to be included in the first phase, the Commission has effectively outlined the roadmap for election preparations.

The EVMs required for conducting the election have already been procured from the Election Commission of India and dispatched to the respective districts. The First Level Checking (FLC) process will be carried out from September 29th to 6th October 2026. The EMMS portal will be used for the tracking, maintenance, and testing of the EVMs.

Work on the voter list is also commencing simultaneously. The Election Commission has planned to accept the revised voter list up to July 1, publish the draft list in the second week of October, and release the final list in the first week of November. Districts have been instructed to swiftly complete preparations regarding the inspection of polling stations, ensuring minimum infrastructure, identifying sensitive booths, and managing law and order.

According to the Commission's estimates, more than 37,000 polling personnel will be required to conduct voting across approximately 6,300 booths. Work regarding voting personnel recruitment, training, the identification of nomination centers, and the establishment of electoral infrastructure has already commenced to this end.

All in all, one message from the Commission's meeting is clear: the municipal elections are not far off. The delimitation of wards is complete, the reservation schedule has been finalized, EVMs have reached the districts, and preparations for recruiting polling personnel are underway. Consequently, a section of the administration believes that the election bugle has effectively been sounded. Now, all eyes are on the Commission's announcement of the final schedule.