65 Women-Led Polling Booths Mark a Progressive Turn in Kalimpong Elections 2026

KalimNews, Kalimpong, April 10, 2026 : The final list of candidates contesting from the 22–Kalimpong Assembly Constituency for the General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2026 has been officially announced, setting the stage for a multi-cornered electoral contest involving major national and regional parties along with independent candidates. 

Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is Bharat Kumar Chettri, while Rita Thapa will contest on behalf of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded Santa Kumar Pradhan, and the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) is represented by Ruden Sada Lepcha. Sisir Kumar Sharma will contest under the banner of the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL), while independent candidates Bhernone Britto Lepcha of Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) and Aldrin Lepcha are also in the fray.

The administration has implemented a robust and multi-layered security strategy to maintain law and order and to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process. Continuous monitoring and coordinated enforcement actions have led to significant progress in curbing illegal election-related activities. All polling stations have been covered through extensive route marches conducted by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), alongside ongoing confidence-building measures among voters. 

Notably, 65 polling booths will be entirely managed by female polling personnel, reflecting an inclusive and progressive approach.

The constituency has a total of 298 polling stations, including 5 auxiliary polling stations, distributed across different blocks as follows: Pedong has 36 polling stations, Lava has 44, Kalimpong–I has 130, and Gorubathan has 88. 

Special arrangements have also been made to facilitate home voting for the senior citizens aged 85 years and above and persons with disabilities (PwDs) who have a minimum 40% benchmark disability (as certified by a medical authority), with 38 teams deployed for the process scheduled on the 12th to 15th of April, 2026.

Postal Voting Centres (PVC) and Facilitation Centres (FCs) have been set up to ensure smooth voting for eligible individuals. Voting for polling personnel and officials on duty will take place on the 15th and 16th of April, 2026 at the SUMI, Primary Section. For Absentee Voters on Essential Services (AVES) voters, voting is scheduled from the 16th to 20th of April, 2026 at TRYSM Hall, Block Office, Kalimpong–I. Additionally, voting for them at the Facilitation Centre located at the Mid Day Meal Section, Office of the District Magistrate, Kalimpong, will be conducted on the 20th to 22nd of April, 2026.

To promote a fear-free, fair, and peaceful election, extensive voter awareness campaigns are being carried out under the theme “Chunav Ka Parv, Paschim Bengal Ka Garv.” These initiatives include door-to-door leaflet distribution, outreach at public gatherings, creative activities through Electoral Literacy Clubs, performances by local folk cultural groups, selfie points, rallies, sports activities, and public announcements through local miking. 

The awareness drives are specifically targeted at senior citizens, first-time voters, persons with disabilities (PWD), and voters in low turnout, vulnerable, and remote areas. The District SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) Icon for this election is Sujata Rai, while Udai Tamang has been designated as the District PWD Icon.

The Expenditure Monitoring Cell has been actively overseeing election-related expenditures to ensure compliance with prescribed limits. Continuous monitoring and raids are being conducted by various agencies, including Excise, Police, Income Tax, Customs, and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), to prevent voter inducement and illegal campaign financing. 

As part of intensified enforcement measures, a total of 1,025 defacement cases have been addressed as of April 9, 2026, including 995 on public properties and 30 on private properties. Furthermore, seven naka (check) points and nine Flying Surveillance Teams (FSTs) have been deployed to monitor and control suspicious activities. Illegal liquor, narcotics, along with cars and two-wheelers, have been seized.

Addressing a press conference, the Kuhuk Bhusan, District Magistrate highlighted the administrative readiness, extensive security deployment, ongoing voter awareness drives, and strict enforcement measures already in place across the Kalimpong Assembly Constituency. 

The official confirmed the final list of candidates with supplementary lists and emphasized that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the elections are conducted in a transparent, secure, and efficient manner.

An appeal has been made to all voters to exercise their franchise responsibly and without inducement, fear, or intimidation, and to actively participate in a non-violent, free, and fair election.