Howrah Municipal elections by December 2026, announces CM Suvendu; last polls held in 2013

Following a high-profile administrative review meeting held in Howrah, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari formally announced that the state government aims to conduct the long-delayed municipal elections for both the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) and the Bally Municipality before the end of December. The critical directive marks an end to a massive legislative deadlock, as the twin civic bodies have been running without an elected board for well over a decade, with the last civic elections held back in 2013.

The Chief Minister clarified that the primary administrative hurdle remaining before the final election dates are notified is the swift execution of ward boundary reorganisation. Adhikari stated that the Department of Municipal Affairs has been given strict operational instructions to finish the ward delimitation process rapidly. Once these spatial mapping and documentation reviews are legally authorised, the state administration will promptly coordinate with the State Election Commission to initiate the voting schedule within the projected December window. The proactive intervention is designed to replace temporary state-appointed administrators with democratic public representation.

To ensure a seamless transition and immediate structural relief, the state machinery invited external transport and land development stakeholders—including senior representatives from Indian Railways and the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA)—to participate in the high-level dialogue. Chief Minister Adhikari highlighted that the primary focus of his administration is to revamp Howrah's collapsing urban utility network completely. The government has outlined a time-bound priority action plan emphasising clean and adequate piped drinking water supply, systemic overhaul of regional drainage networks to prevent waterlogging, modernised waste management systems, and upgraded community health infrastructure.