Calcutta High Court Halts Kolkata Civic Poll Notifications Over Redrawn Wards Dispute

Court Order

The Calcutta High Court has barred the West Bengal State Election Commission from releasing any election notification for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation based on newly redrawn wards. This restriction stays in place until the court decides on a pending petition that challenges the recent boundary changes.

Background

The state government passed a law in the Assembly on August 12 to redraw city wards, raising the total count from 144 to 209. Former city councillor Dipu Das challenged this exercise in court. An earlier order on October 29 by Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya had refused to stay the state's notification, but a division bench modified that decision to grant interim protection.

Arguments

Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing the petitioner, argued that the state engaged in gerrymandering to help the ruling party based on past voting patterns. He also questioned if an administrator appointed by the state could act as the corporation to recommend reorganisation. Meanwhile, Advocate General S.N. Mitra argued that under Section 601 of the KMC Act, the government holds full independent power to alter schedules regardless of any corporation recommendation. The bench noted the petitioner made a strong case for protection to keep the petition meaningful.

Context

Delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral boundaries for local bodies or legislative constituencies, which directly affects how votes translate into seats. Legal disputes over such boundary changes often arise when rival political groups accuse the government in power of manipulating ward lines for electoral gain.