District poll department proposes more polling stations in West Burdwan

Alongside the ongoing hearing process for voters with logical discrepancies, election-related preparations have begun in West Burdwan district, with a proposal being prepared to increase the number of polling stations.

The district electoral department has proposed the bifurcation of polling stations with more than 1,200 voters across all nine Assembly constituencies of the district, based on the draft electoral roll published on 16 December last year.

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Preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections are now underway. Along with hearings for voters flagged for logical discrepancies, the Election Commission of India has started groundwork related to the upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal. A proposal has been prepared to increase the number of polling stations in the Asansol Sadar and Durgapur sub-divisions.

The process of splitting polling booths with more than 1,200 voters has already begun. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) of the Assembly constituencies and is now being given final shape. The meeting was chaired by Asansol Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Biswajeet Bhattacharya and ADM (Election) Bidhubhushan Bhattacharya. Mr Bhattacharya is also the ERO for the Asansol North Assembly constituency.

According to the proposal, booths with more than 1,200 voters will be divided to create new polling stations. The proposal will be sent to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata by 7 February. Work related to these booths is being expedited ahead of the publication of the final voters’ list on 14 February.

According to official sources, the Asansol North Assembly constituency has 307 polling booths, of which 16 have more than 1,200 voters. In Asansol South, several of the 302 booths also exceed the 1,200-voter limit. Across the Asansol sub-division, there are 13 booths where the number of voters is above the prescribed limit. So far, no political party has raised any objection to the exercise.

Officials said the final voters’ list, on the basis of which the 2026 Assembly elections will be conducted, will be published on 14 February. If the number of voters in any booth later falls below or again exceeds 1,200, further action will be taken in accordance with Election Commission of India guidelines.

Officials added that hearings related to voters with logical discrepancies are continuing, which has led to some confusion among voters across the state. However, authorities clarified that election preparations are progressing simultaneously and necessary steps are being taken as per Election Commission of India directions.

The nine Assembly constituencies in West Burdwan district are Asansol North, Asansol South, Barabani, Kulti, Pandaveswar, Jamuria, Raniganj, Durgapur East and Durgapur West.