Kolkata and Howrah are preparing for municipal elections under a revised ward structure. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is expanding from 144 to 209 wards, while Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) is expanding from 50 to 68 wards. The reported polling window is 28–29 November 2026, but voters should wait for the formal election notification before treating either date as confirmed.
The final KMC ward reservation list was published on 7 October 2026. It identifies 12 Scheduled Caste (SC)-reserved wards, including four reserved for SC women, and 70 wards reserved for women overall. Residents should check the revised ward boundaries, electoral-roll details and official election announcements before polling preparations begin.
This guide explains the reported election timeline, KMC's reserved ward list, the implications of ward delimitation and the steps residents in Kolkata and Howrah can take before the election notification.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Key Takeaways
- KMC will have 209 wards, up from 144 following the delimitation exercise.
- Howrah Municipal Corporation will have 68 wards, up from 50.
- Likely polling dates: 28–29 November 2026, according to reports quoting the West Bengal State Election Commission. The final schedule must be confirmed through an official notification.
- KMC reservation list: The final list was published on 7 October 2026.
- SC-reserved KMC wards: 25, 31, 52, 75, 125, 144, 154, 158, 192, 197, 200 and 201.
- SC women wards: 25, 75, 154 and 197.
- What voters should do now: Check their electoral-roll entry, review the revised ward map and follow official announcements for polling dates and deadlines.
Kolkata and Howrah Civic Polls 2026: Quick Guide
| Election detail | Latest reported information |
|---|---|
| Kolkata Municipal Corporation | 209 wards |
| Previous KMC ward count | 144 |
| Howrah Municipal Corporation | 68 wards |
| Previous HMC ward count | 50 |
| Reported polling window | 28–29 November 2026 |
| Reported counting date | 2 December 2026 |
| KMC final reservation list | Published on 7 October 2026 |
| Reported deadline for completing the civic election process | 7 December 2026 |
The polling and counting dates above reflect reported plans, not a substitute for the final election notification. Check the West Bengal State Election Commission for the latest official schedule.
When Will the Kolkata and Howrah Civic Elections Be Held?
The West Bengal State Election Commission has reportedly been working towards holding elections in Kolkata, Howrah and other civic bodies during the last week of November 2026.
A report published by The Statesman on 25 September quoted the State Election Commissioner as identifying 28–29 November as the tentative polling window, with counting expected on 2 December. The election process was also expected to be completed by 7 December.
However, a reported date and a formally notified polling date are not the same thing.
The official notification is the document voters, candidates and election workers should use to confirm the schedule. It should establish the applicable dates for nominations, scrutiny, withdrawal, polling and counting.
Before making travel arrangements or relying on a deadline, check the latest announcement on the West Bengal State Election Commission website.
Official reference: The Statesman — Seven civic bodies in Bengal to go to polls in last week of November
Why Does KMC Now Have 209 Wards?
Kolkata Municipal Corporation is expanding from 144 wards to 209, an increase of 65 wards. The West Bengal Assembly passed the relevant amendment legislation in August 2026, paving the way for the revised ward structure.
Ward delimitation redraws municipal boundaries. It can affect which ward covers a particular street, neighbourhood or residential address.
For residents, this is more than a change in ward numbering. It can affect which municipal councillor represents their locality and which constituency they need to refer to when checking election information.
If you previously lived in KMC Ward 50, for example, do not assume that the same ward number necessarily applies to your address under the revised structure. Check the official ward map and delimitation notification.
Residents should also distinguish municipal wards from Assembly constituencies and parliamentary constituencies. These are different electoral divisions, and their boundaries and responsibilities are not interchangeable.
Howrah Municipal Corporation: 68 Wards Instead of 50
Howrah Municipal Corporation is also undergoing delimitation. Its ward count is increasing from 50 to 68, adding 18 wards.
The revised structure makes it important for residents to verify their ward allocation rather than relying on older municipal records or information shared during previous civic elections.
Residents should consult official Howrah municipal and state election documents for the applicable ward boundaries and reservation categories.
KMC and HMC have separate ward structures. The KMC reservation list discussed below does not establish the reservation category of any Howrah ward.
KMC Reserved Ward List 2026: What the Final Notification Says
The final KMC reservation list was published on 7 October 2026 by the South 24 Parganas district administration.
The reservation process followed the publication of a draft list in September, which invited claims and objections before the final list was prepared.
According to reporting published after the final list:
- 70 of the 209 KMC wards are reserved for women.
- 12 wards are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates.
- Four of the SC-reserved wards are specifically reserved for SC women.
The final reservation order should be treated as the authoritative source when checking an individual ward. A draft list or an older reservation roster may not reflect the final allocation.
Official document: Final Publication (Form B) of Reservation of Seats of KMC — South 24 Parganas District Administration
KMC wards reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates
The 12 wards reported as reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates are:
25, 31, 52, 75, 125, 144, 154, 158, 192, 197, 200 and 201.
Residents and prospective candidates should verify the category shown against their ward in the official Form B notification before relying on this list.
KMC wards reserved for Scheduled Caste women
Four of the SC-reserved wards are specifically reserved for SC women:
25, 75, 154 and 197.
This is a subset of the 12 SC-reserved wards listed above.
KMC wards reserved for women
The final list reportedly reserves 70 wards for women, including the four SC women wards.
The reported general women-reserved ward numbers are:
1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 26, 29, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67, 70, 73, 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 92, 95, 98, 101, 104, 107, 110, 113, 116, 119, 122, 126, 129, 132, 135, 138, 141, 145, 148, 151, 155, 159, 162, 165, 168, 171, 174, 177, 180, 183, 186, 189, 193, 196, 202, 205 and 208.
Important: The general women-reserved wards and SC women wards are separate categories in the reporting. Consult the official final reservation order for the complete category assigned to each ward, especially if you are checking eligibility to contest an election.
For background on the final list and changes from the draft, see the Times of India report on KMC's final reservation list.
How to Find Your New KMC or Howrah Ward
If you live in Kolkata or Howrah, the first practical step is to identify the municipal ward that covers your current residential address under the revised boundaries.
Follow these steps:
- Note your complete residential address, including the locality, road and nearest recognised landmark.
- Find the latest official ward delimitation notification or map for your municipal corporation.
- Compare your locality and its boundaries with the revised ward map.
- Check the relevant ward number with the municipal authority if the boundary is unclear.
- Verify your electoral-roll entry separately. A municipal ward number alone does not confirm your voter registration or polling-station allocation.
The distinction matters because municipal ward delimitation and electoral-roll arrangements are related but separate administrative processes.
A person may need to check both the municipal ward covering their home and the electoral-roll information applicable to the upcoming election.
KMC Draft Voter List: Why 26 October Matters
Reports published on 24 October indicate that the draft KMC voter list under the revised ward structure is expected around 26 October 2026.
The revised list is expected to help clarify how voters and polling booths have been allocated following ward delimitation.
Because this is a reported publication date, residents should check the official announcement before assuming that the list has been released.
When the draft list becomes available, check:
- Whether your name appears in the applicable electoral roll.
- Whether your address and other details are correct.
- Which revised ward your residential address falls under.
- Whether the relevant polling-station details have been updated.
- Whether the authorities have announced a procedure and deadline for reporting discrepancies.
If you find an error, follow the correction or objection process specified in the official notice. Do not assume that an old polling slip or previous ward number will automatically remain valid.
Related reporting: Times of India — KMC draft voter list likely on October 26, with post-delimitation ward and booth allocation
What Voters Should Do Before the Election Notification
You do not need to wait for the polling date to start checking the information relevant to your vote.
1. Check your name in the electoral roll
Use the Election Commission of India's electoral search portal to search for your voter entry.
Check your name and the other details shown in the record. If you cannot find your entry, follow the official instructions for checking the applicable electoral roll and resolving the discrepancy.
Possessing a voter ID card does not, by itself, replace checking your name in the relevant electoral roll.
2. Review your address and registration details
If you have moved house or discovered an error in your details, use the Voters' Services Portal to check the applicable registration, shifting and correction services.
Follow the instructions and deadlines specified by the competent election authority.
3. Check the revised ward boundaries
Do not rely solely on a ward number printed on an old municipal document. Delimitation can change the ward allocation for an address.
Check the revised map and seek clarification from the relevant municipal authority if your locality lies near a boundary.
4. Verify the reservation category
If you want to understand which candidate categories are eligible to contest your ward, consult the final reservation notification.
For KMC, use the official Form B publication. For Howrah, use the applicable HMC reservation notification. Do not assume that the two municipal corporations share the same reservation roster.
5. Follow the official polling notification
Once the election schedule is formally announced, note the polling date, nomination deadlines and other applicable dates.
Use the official notification rather than forwarded messages, speculative social-media posts or reports that describe only a tentative schedule.
6. Be cautious with unofficial voter-service messages
Do not share sensitive identity details, OTPs or account credentials with people claiming to offer voter-list corrections through unofficial links.
Access voter services through official government portals and verify the source before submitting personal information.
Official Links for Kolkata and Howrah Civic Polls 2026
Keep these links available while checking election information:
- West Bengal State Election Commission — official election notifications and civic poll updates.
- KMC Final Reservation List — Form B — final KMC reservation publication hosted by the South 24 Parganas district administration.
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation — municipal services and civic information.
- Election Commission of India Electoral Search — search for your electoral-roll entry.
- Voters' Services Portal — voter registration and correction services.
- Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal — state electoral information and voter resources.
These portals serve different purposes. Use the State Election Commission for municipal election announcements, the municipal authority for local ward information and the appropriate electoral authority for voter-registration queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Kolkata and Howrah civic elections expected in 2026?
Reports have identified 28–29 November 2026 as the tentative polling window. The final date should be confirmed through the West Bengal State Election Commission's official notification.
How many wards will Kolkata Municipal Corporation have?
KMC is expanding from 144 to 209 wards, an increase of 65 wards.
How many wards will Howrah Municipal Corporation have?
HMC is expanding from 50 to 68 wards, an increase of 18 wards.
How many KMC wards are reserved for women?
The final KMC reservation list reportedly reserves 70 wards for women, including four wards reserved for SC women.
Which KMC wards are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates?
The 12 reported SC-reserved wards are 25, 31, 52, 75, 125, 144, 154, 158, 192, 197, 200 and 201. Check the official Form B notification for confirmation.
Which KMC wards are reserved for SC women?
The four reported SC women wards are 25, 75, 154 and 197.
Does the KMC reservation list apply to Howrah?
No. KMC and HMC have separate ward structures and reservation arrangements. Consult the official reservation notification for the relevant municipal corporation.
How can I check my new ward number?
Review the official revised ward map and delimitation notification for your residential address. If the boundary is unclear, contact the relevant municipal authority.
How can I check whether my name is on the voter list?
Use the Election Commission of India's electoral search portal and verify your entry against the applicable electoral roll.
Is 28 November 2026 the confirmed polling date?
Not on the basis of a reported tentative schedule alone. Treat 28 November as provisional until the formal election notification confirms the polling date.
Conclusion
The 2026 Kolkata and Howrah civic elections are being prepared under a revised municipal ward structure. KMC is expanding to 209 wards, while Howrah Municipal Corporation is expanding to 68 wards. These changes make it important for residents to verify their ward allocation and electoral-roll details instead of relying on older information.
Kolkata's final ward reservation list was published on 7 October, and the reported polling window is 28–29 November. However, voters should rely on the formal election notification for confirmed dates and deadlines.
Before polling preparations begin, check your electoral-roll entry, review the revised ward map and consult the official reservation notification for your municipal corporation.
For more civic explainers, public-service information and election updates, visit NetaSampark.
Stay informed, verify official information and prepare to participate responsibly in your local civic election.