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Election Commission to Map High-Rises for Poll Booths in Bengal After DEOs Miss Deadlines

The decision signals a direct push to improve urban voter access in large residential complexes.

Overview

  • After district officers twice failed to furnish lists, the Commission will independently identify housing complexes with roughly 300 or more voters for setting up polling stations.
  • If resident associations deny premises, officials say temporary stations may be created at nearby locations to serve adjacent complexes.
  • The poll body reiterated plans to place stations in high-rises, gated communities and slums, following Deputy EC Gyanesh Bharti’s directive for immediate proposals and a lowered 300-voter threshold.
  • Families of two elderly voters filed police complaints naming the CEC and Bengal CEO after SIR hearing notices; the Commission rejected the allegations as premeditated and intimidatory and said it will pursue legal steps.
  • The EC warned parties, including the TMC, against threats to election staff, urged release of enhanced BLO honoraria, allowed 85-plus and sick or disabled electors to skip in-person hearings on request, and faced TMC claims of ‘vote chori’ tied to 1.36 crore flagged discrepancies and large draft deletions.