The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal has taken a significant step forward in its preparations for upcoming elections. As of Wednesday evening, it has successfully gathered preliminary lists of high-rise buildings that could serve as polling stations from five out of eight targeted districts in the state.
Deadline Met by Majority, Some Districts Delay
The Election Commission of India had set a firm deadline of December 31 for the submission of these crucial lists. An official confirmed the receipt, stating, "We received a list from five districts of high-rises with both 300-plus and at least 500 voters. Three districts are yet to send the lists." The submitted information currently includes basic details like building names and voter numbers. This collected data will now be forwarded to the EC for final scrutiny and approval.
EC Expands Criteria for Polling Stations
In a recent directive that broadens the scope for setting up voting booths, the Election Commission is now actively considering housing complexes or societies with 300 voters or more. This information was communicated to District Election Officers (DEOs) of key regions including Kolkata North and South, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, and East and West Burdwan by senior deputy election commissioner Gyanesh Bharti on Tuesday.
This marks a shift from the earlier mandate, which focused on surveying high-rises, group housing societies, RWA colonies, slums, and gated communities with a minimum of 250 houses or 500 voters. The previous instructions also required DEOs to identify suitable ground-floor accommodations on these premises for setting up polling stations.
Next Steps in the Electoral Process
The final decision on the exact locations will rest with the Election Commission. Once the EC finalizes the list, specific proposals will be sent back to the districts through the respective District Election Officers for implementation. This move to utilize high-rise buildings is seen as a measure to make voting more accessible and convenient, especially in densely populated urban areas of West Bengal, potentially increasing voter turnout.
The focus now remains on the three districts that have not yet submitted their lists. Their prompt compliance is essential for the EC to complete a comprehensive plan for polling station distribution across the state, ensuring a smooth and efficient electoral process when elections are announced.
