The two amendment laws behind Kolkata's 209 wards, and Howrah's 68

Background

The Calcutta High Court has just held back the Kolkata civic elections, and the ward figures at the centre of that case come from two amendment laws of West Bengal. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 raised that Corporation's wards from 144 to 209. The Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 raised Howrah's wards from 50 to 68. The two Bills amend the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980 and the Howrah Municipal Corporation Act, 1980. They were passed at a special one-day sitting of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul told the Assembly the change was needed because of the variation in population between wards. It is this redrawing of wards that the petition now before the Calcutta High Court challenges.