Elections to seven municipal corporations in West Bengal, including Kolkata, are likely to be held on November 28, with counting scheduled for December 2. The State Election Commission has prepared the proposed schedule and is awaiting the state government’s formal approval before issuing the official notification.

The proposed poll calendar was discussed at length on Wednesday during a series of meetings between State Election Commissioner Krishna Gupta and senior officials at Nabanna, the state secretariat. The final dates are expected to be announced after Durga Puja, following the completion of further consultations with the state government.

Gupta held a marathon meeting with the state’s top administrative and police officials to review preparations for the civic polls.

The first meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Director General of Police. Discussions focused primarily on the infrastructure required to conduct the elections and the security arrangements at polling stations.

The Commission has sought a detailed report from the state police leadership on the deployment of adequate personnel at every booth, along with a comprehensive security blueprint for the elections.

DMs told to ensure violence-free polls

The State Election Commissioner subsequently held separate meetings with the District Magistrates of the districts concerned. He reviewed the administrative situation and the progress of preparations in each municipal corporation.

Gupta reportedly issued a stern directive to the district administration, making it clear that the elections must be free, peaceful and completely devoid of violence. Instructions have also been passed down to the grassroots administrative machinery to prevent any untoward incident during the polling process.

Kolkata, Howrah preparations nearly complete

Administrative sources said preliminary preparations for the elections to the seven municipal corporations have reached the final stage.

The delimitation of wards in Kolkata and Howrah has already been completed, while the ward-wise reservation lists are also nearing finalisation. With most of the technical groundwork completed, officials believe there are no major hurdles remaining before the elections can be formally announced.

The seven municipal corporations scheduled to go to the polls are Kolkata, Howrah, Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Asansol, Durgapur and Chandannagar.

Eight-year wait for elected board in Howrah

The Commission is paying particular attention to Kolkata and Howrah, where the absence of elected municipal boards has become a prolonged issue.

The Howrah Municipal Corporation has been without an elected board for nearly eight years, with its affairs being run by an administrator for an extended period. In Kolkata too, an administrator is currently overseeing the civic body following the expiry of the elected board’s term.

The administration is now keen to bring an end to the prolonged arrangement and restore elected municipal governance in both corporations.

The proposed November 28 polling date is closely linked to a deadline announced by the Chief Minister for Kolkata.

She had stated that an elected board would take charge of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation by December 7. With counting proposed for December 2, the Election Commission would have sufficient time to complete the formalities and facilitate the constitution of the new board before the deadline.

The schedule, therefore, leaves little room for delay.

Final nod from Nabanna awaited

For now, the State Election Commission is awaiting the formal green signal from Nabanna.

Once the state government’s approval is received, the Commission is expected to issue the official notification, setting the municipal election process in motion.

If the proposed schedule is approved, the civic poll battle will unfold in the final week of November, with the results expected to be declared on December 2.

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