Kolkata|14th July 2026:
In a landmark move ahead of the upcoming Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Elections, The West Bengal government has initiated the city’s first ward delimitation exercise in more than 40 years. The process is expected to significantly reshape Kolkata’s electoral map by increasing the number of municipal wards from 144 to 200, ensuring more balanced voter representation across the city.
The delimitation exercise, the first since 1984, is aimed at addressing demographic changes and population growth over the past four decades. Under the new plan, each ward is expected to have around 16,000 to 18,000 voters, replacing the existing system where voter numbers vary widely between wards.
According to officials, the 16 borough’s of the KMC will remain unchanged, but ward boundaries will be redrawn to ensure more equitable representation. Existing polling booths & electoral parts will not be altered, although many residents may find themselves assigned to different wards once the exercise is completed.
The KMC has constituted a 10-member Central Delimitation Committee along with 16 borough-level committees to oversee the process. These committees are expected to submit their recommendations by July 27th 2026, following which the state government is likely to publish a draft notification by the end of the month. Citizens will then be invited to submit objections & suggestions before the final notification is issued.
Officials have clarified that the delimitation exercise will not affect property ownership, mutation certificates, or civic records & municipal services will continue without disruption during the transition.
The exercise is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape ahead of the November KMC elections, with experts anticipating changes in electoral dynamics as ward boundaries are redrawn to reflect Kolkata’s evolving population.
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