Kolkata Municipal Polls on Hold: Calcutta HC Stops Election Notification
The Calcutta High Court has stopped the State Election Commission from issuing notifications for Kolkata municipal polls over ward delimitation disputes.
In a significant legal development, the Calcutta High Court has stepped in to halt the process for the upcoming Kolkata municipal polls notification. The court has issued an interim order restraining the State Election Commission (SEC) from issuing any notifications regarding the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections until a pending legal dispute is settled.
Court Intervenes Over Ward Delimitation
The directive was handed down by a vacation division bench consisting of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya and Justice Arjun Roy Mukherjee. The core of the legal battle revolves around the fresh delimitation of wards within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, a move that has sparked intense controversy among political stakeholders.
According to the court's order, the State Election Commission is prohibited from moving forward with any election notifications until the matter is finally resolved by the judiciary.
The Root of the Dispute: Ward Expansion
The legal challenge stems from the West Bengal government's decision to significantly alter the structure of the KMC. The number of wards has been increased from 144 to 209 in preparation for the upcoming polls. This substantial increase led to a petition challenging the government's decision.
Adding to the tension, the West Bengal Congress had previously written to the State's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), pointing out alleged irregularities in how the new wards were delimited and demanding immediate corrections.
What Happens Next?
The interim order effectively puts the electoral timeline for the city's municipal body in limbo. The State Election Commission must now wait for the court to decide on the validity of the ward increases and the fairness of the delimitation process before it can officially call for the polls.
The Calcutta High Court has clearly stated that the State Election Commission cannot proceed with the KMC polls until the delimitation matter is decided.