S.I.R: Delhi adds 1,914 polling stations after rationalisation

New Delhi: The number of polling stations in Delhi has increased by nearly 15 per cent, from 13,033 to 14,947, following a rationalisation exercise across all 70 Assembly constituencies as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls

New Delhi: The number of polling stations in Delhi has increased by nearly 15 per cent, from 13,033 to 14,947, following a rationalisation exercise across all 70 Assembly constituencies as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The number of polling station locations also increased from 2,696 to 2,856, according to official data (Photo for representation)

The number of polling station locations also increased from 2,696 to 2,856, according to official data.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) reduced the maximum number of electors assigned to a polling station from 1,500 to 1,200 to make voting more convenient.

South East district recorded the highest increase, with the number of polling stations rising by 325, from 1,239 to 1,564. North East saw an increase of 244, from 1,585 to 1,829, while South recorded an increase of 243, from 1,124 to 1,367.

West added 153 polling stations, taking its total to 1,543 from 1,390; while South West added 164, increasing from 1,187 to 1,351. East district saw its polling stations rise from 1,333 to 1,543.

Polling station numbers also increased in North West from 1,248 to 1,403, North from 873 to 971, Outer North from 904 to 975, Central North from 768 to 863, Central from 633 to 682, Old Delhi from 541 to 642 and New Delhi from 208 to 214.

The rationalisation exercise was scheduled to be completed by August 17, but was delayed due to pending approval from ECI.The draft electoral rolls will be published on August 31.

The exercise began with physical verification of existing polling station locations by senior officers appointed by district election officers to assess their suitability for future elections, officials said.

New polling station locations were identified and additional polling stations created in line with the ECI guidelines. Electors were also shifted to adjacent or newly created polling stations where the number of electors at an existing station exceeded the revised limit of 1,200.

Electoral registration officers and district election officers also held meetings with recognised political parties to seek their suggestions on the rationalisation process.

According to the district-wise figures, the total number of polling station locations increased by 160. South East recorded the largest increase, from 233 to 264, followed by North East, where locations rose from 295 to 321.

The rationalisation is aimed at ensuring that polling stations remain within the revised limit, while improving accessibility and convenience for voters during elections, officials said.