Is the Bengal CEO Office Creating a Polling Booth Database?
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Synopsis
The Bengal CEO office is building a comprehensive polling booth database to assist voters in preparing for the upcoming assembly elections, ensuring they have timely access to essential information about their designated polling places for a smoother voting experience.
Key Takeaways
- Creation of a comprehensive database for polling booths.
- Increase in polling booths by 16.5% for upcoming elections.
- Directives from the Election Commission of India to limit voters per booth.
- Database includes critical details for voter accessibility.
- Enhancement of the overall voting experience.
Kolkata, Sep 20 (NationPress) To assist the voters of West Bengal in obtaining essential and thorough information about their designated polling booths for the upcoming significant state assembly elections next year, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has initiated the development of a comprehensive virtual database of these booths.
A source within the CEO’s office mentioned that this database will be invaluable for voters to ascertain their assigned polling booths ahead of time. This is particularly crucial as many long-time voters may find that their polling booth numbers differ from those they used in previous elections.
The upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal will witness nearly a 17% increase in polling booths compared to both the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2021 assembly elections.
Specifically, the number of booths for the 2026 Assembly elections will exceed 94,000, marking a 16.5% increase compared to prior elections.
The increase in booths is a direct result of directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI), which stipulates that no polling booth should accommodate more than 1,200 voters. Consequently, to adhere to this guideline, the number of booths has been expanded.
“Thus, the CEO’s office is in the process of compiling a detailed database to maintain accurate records of the locations, infrastructure, and amenities available at both old and new booths. The objective is to provide voters with advance knowledge about their allocated polling booth, ensuring a smooth voting experience on election day,” the insider explained.
This database will feature critical information, including the distance from the voter’s residence to the polling booth, available facilities such as ramps, washrooms, and toilets, as well as details about entry and exit points.
“District and block-level electoral administration will have direct access to this database,” the insider further noted.
Point of View
This move aims to address potential challenges in the upcoming elections while ensuring that every citizen can cast their vote with ease.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Bengal CEO office creating a database of polling booths?
The database is being created to provide voters with detailed information about their assigned polling booths, ensuring they have access to necessary facilities and can smoothly participate in the upcoming elections.
How many polling booths will be available for the 2026 Assembly elections?
The number of polling booths for the 2026 Assembly elections is expected to exceed 94,000, marking a significant increase from previous elections.
What information will the database include?
The database will include details such as the distance to the polling booth from the voter's residence, available facilities like ramps and restrooms, and the number of entry and exit points.
Who will have access to this database?
District and block-level electoral administration will have direct access to the database to assist in managing the polling process effectively.
How will this initiative benefit voters?
By providing advance information about polling booths, the initiative will help voters avoid confusion and ensure a smooth voting experience on election day.
