Bareilly: District Magistrate and District Election Officer Avinash Singh chaired a meeting with representatives of recognized political parties at the Collectorate auditorium to discuss the rationalisation and reorganisation of polling stations ahead of the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls.
During the meeting, Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) and Deputy District Election Officer Santosh Kumar Singh informed participants that the exercise is being undertaken in accordance with the directions of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer Uttar Pradesh. Suggestions and objections from political parties have been invited to ensure voter convenience and compliance with electoral norms.
Officials explained that the Election Commission conducts an annual review and adjustment of polling stations with the objective of providing voters with accessible, secure, and adequately equipped polling locations close to their places of residence.
A detailed timeline of the exercise was presented during the meeting. Physical verification of polling stations, reassessment of existing locations, and identification of buildings for new polling stations were conducted between June 24 and June 28. Consultations with political parties are being held from June 29 to July 1, while the draft list of polling stations will be published by July 4 for inviting suggestions and objections. After consultations with Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and recognized political parties, the final list will be prepared by July 18. The district administration will then forward its proposal to the Chief Electoral Officer by the end of July for approval by the Election Commission.
Officials stated that Bareilly district comprises nine Assembly constituencies and currently has 3,835 polling stations spread across 1,940 polling centres. Based on the prescribed norm of 1,200 voters per polling station, six new polling stations have been proposed, while 37 existing polling stations are proposed to be merged or adjusted. Upon completion of the rationalisation process, the district is expected to have 3,804 polling stations.
Addressing the representatives of political parties, District Magistrate Avinash Singh urged them to carefully examine the draft list and submit any objections or suggestions within the stipulated time. He emphasized that recommendations should be made strictly in the interest of voter convenience and in accordance with Election Commission guidelines. Political parties were also requested to provide information regarding local conditions and the suitability or otherwise of proposed polling station buildings.
The District Magistrate directed officials to ensure that every polling station in the district is equipped with essential facilities, including electricity, boundary walls, toilets, and clean drinking water. He stressed that voters should not face any inconvenience on polling day. He also instructed officials to avoid setting up polling booths in private buildings wherever possible and to keep public representatives informed if exceptional circumstances require such arrangements.
Further directions were issued to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to establish new polling stations only where genuinely required. Polling booths operating from dilapidated or temporary structures should be shifted to suitable permanent buildings, with preference given to government-owned premises. He also reiterated that shops, commercial establishments, religious places, and buildings associated with political persons should not be used as polling stations under any circumstances.
The meeting was attended by Deputy District Election Officer Santosh Kumar Singh, City Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Verma, Assistant Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Magistrates from Sadar, Faridpur, Aonla, Nawabganj and Mirganj, Tehsildar Baheri, and representatives of various political parties.
Reported by Akhilesh Chandra Saxena from Bareilly.
