ECI Approves Polling Booths in 69 West Bengal High-Rises

Overview

• The Election Commission cleared booths inside 69 private housing complexes for the upcoming Assembly elections after receiving CEO Manoj Agarwal’s submissions.
• Most sites are located in South 24 Parganas (25) and North 24 Parganas (22), with 10 in Kolkata, five in Hooghly, four in Howrah and three in East Burdwan.
• Fourteen districts reported no qualifying complexes, and Commission officials have signaled dissatisfaction with the overall low tally, according to the CEO’s office.
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee formally objected in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing neutrality and security concerns inside private complexes.
• The BJP welcomed the decision as expanding safe, convenient voting, with Amit Malviya arguing it would aid seniors and reduce the scope for interference.