LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh will have 3,786 fewer polling stations following the Election Commission’s approval of a statewide rationalisation exercise covering all 403 assembly constituencies across 75 districts, ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.The number of polling stations has been reduced from 1,77,516 to 1,73,730, a decline of 2.13%, based on the prescribed norm of 1,200 voters per polling station.Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said on Wednesday that the Commission approved the proposals on Nov 4. The rationalisation exercise began on Oct 16, with district-wise proposals submitted for approval.The revised polling station arrangement will form the basis for publication of draft electoral rolls under the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR), with Jan 1, 2027, as the qualifying date.Rinwa directed district election officers (DEOs) to ensure deployment of booth-level officers (BLOs) at all approved polling stations.Voters whose polling stations have changed must be informed individually in writing through their respective BLOs. Supervisors will monitor compliance, while electoral registration officers (EROs) and assistant EROs must personally verify the exercise.The CEO also instructed officials to ensure that all members of a family are registered in the same part of the electoral roll. Any discrepancies identified after publication of draft rolls must be rectified through Form 8.DEOs and EROs have been directed to share the approved polling station lists with recognised political parties and undertake publicity campaigns to inform voters about changes before polling.
