States » EastPosted at: Oct 12 2026 4:42PM


Calcutta High Court seeks EC report on EVM, VVPAT shortage ahead of civic polls

Kolkata, Oct 12 (UNI) The Calcutta High Court sought a detailed report from the State Election Commission on the shortage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines ahead of municipal elections scheduled to be held in seven key municipalities in West Bengal towards the end of the year.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge on Monday directed the commission to file a specific affidavit clarifying whether polling data collected from EVMs and VVPAT machines can be stored separately on hard disks and whether such a procedure is legally permissible.
According to sources in the commission, the formal notification for the elections may be issued in the last week of October.
Polling is tentatively planned for the last week of November, with the results likely to be announced in early December.
The first phase is expected to cover seven municipalities including Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Howrah Municipal Corporation, Bally, Haldia, Dhupguri, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

A total of 6,301 polling booths are expected to be set up across these municipalities.
Preparations for the elections have already begun.

However, the shortage of voting equipment has emerged as a major administrative challenge.
The State Election Commission currently has 21,184 ballot units and 19,564 control units.
At present, at least 15 municipalities across 12 districts of the state do not have elected civic boards and are being run by administrators.
Howrah Municipal Corporation faces the most prolonged delay, having gone without an election for 13 years.
The last municipal election in Howrah was held in 2013, and the elected board's tenure ended in 2018.
UNI SAG BM
Tags: #Calcutta High Court seeks EC report on EVM# VVPAT shortage ahead of civic polls
More News

Bhimbandh to be developed as Eco-Tourism destination; tourist facilities in Rajgir to be expanded

12 Oct 2026 | 5:28 PM

Patna, Oct 12 (UNI) The Bihar government has stepped up efforts to develop the state’s natural and forest areas as environmentally sustainable tourism destinations.

see more..

Bihar leaders pay tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on death anniversary

12 Oct 2026 | 5:24 PM

Patna, Oct 12 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi on Mondy paid tributes to eminent socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his death anniversary, recalling his contributions to social justice and equality.

see more..

Bengal: Malda students save tiffin money to gift clothes to school workers

12 Oct 2026 | 5:21 PM

Siliguri, Oct 12 (UNI) Small savings by school children from West Bengal's Malda district have turned into a heart-warming Durga Puja gift for those who work behind the scenes to keep their school running.

see more..

Bhutan tourism surges, but Maharashtra overtakes Bengal as source market

12 Oct 2026 | 5:07 PM

Siliguri, Oct 12 (UNI) Bhutan received 26,040 tourists in September 2026, more than double the 10,486 visitors recorded in the corresponding month last year, according to the country's monthly tourism bulletin released into the public domain by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Royal Government of Bhutan.

see more..

Tripura: CM launches Rs 40 crore development project in Unakoti district

12 Oct 2026 | 5:04 PM

Agartala, Oct 12 (UNI) Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha today accused the former Left Front government of failing to improve citizens’ lives despite its long tenure.

see more..