Civic polls: Seat reservation draft to be published by mid-Sept, says SEC
Times of India | 3 September 2026
Kolkata: State Election Commission (SEC) has begun preparations for elections to eight civic bodies, including Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), directing district administrations to complete the final delimitation proposals by the second week of Sept and release draft reservation orders around mid-Sept.
On Wednesday, state election commissioner Krishna Gupta reviewed the poll preparedness with district magistrates and district municipal election officers of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, South 24 Parganas, Howrah and East Midnapore, and Kolkata municipal commissioner Smita Pandey.
“Preparations for seat reservations are underway. Draft orders are expected to be published around mid-Sept, while the final orders will be issued in the last week of Oct,” Gupta said after the meeting, which was also attended by urban development and municipal department officials.
The meeting reviewed key aspects of the election process, including delimitation, reservation of seats, EVM management, electoral rolls, polling stations, deployment of polling personnel and other logistical arrangements, officials said.
Following delimitation, KMC’s ward count will increase from 144 to 209. In Howrah, the number of wards will increase to 68 from 50.
SEC will carry out delimitation of wards in Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Durgapur Municipal Corporation (DMC). After the delimitation exercise, the number of wards in SMC will increase to 63 from 47, while in DMC, 10 new wards will be added to the current 43.
District authorities have been asked to complete manpower assessments and preparations related to electoral rolls and polling stations within the prescribed timeline. SEC also directed officials to ensure assured minimum facilities at polling stations.
Civic elections for eight civic bodies – Kolkata, Howrah, Bally, Haldia, Jhargram, Dhupguri, Kalimpong and Kurseong – will be held by Dec 7.