Officials have begun delimitation in 13 municipal corporations, 87 municipalities and several nagar panchayats, with fresh boundaries to be finalised after field surveys and public feedback. Once draft maps are prepared, a preliminary notification will be issued inviting objections and suggestions. Final proposals will then be routed through district collectors to the State government for approval.

The exercise is expected to significantly expand the electoral map. The total number of wards and divisions is projected to rise to 3,942, up by 772 new units. In municipalities and nagar panchayats alone, wards are set to increase from 2,445 to about 3,020.

In municipal corporations, the reshuffle is sharper. The number of divisions is expected to see a steep jump as urban populations grow and boundaries are redrawn.

The move comes after the tenure of elected bodies in most urban local bodies ended on March 17, leaving them under special officers. Terms in a few remaining bodies are due to expire later this year. Sources indicated that the government is targeting August-September for elections, though timelines hinge on multiple factors. Delimitation has already seen a deadline extension after urban bodies flagged staff shortages due to ongoing census-related work. Field inspections are now underway in phases across districts.

The process is being aligned with 2011 Census data, with some existing divisions likely to be split to reflect population changes.

A key variable is reservation. A dedicated commission studying Backward Classes representation is expected to submit its report next month.

Based on its findings, the government will finalise quotas for wards and divisions, within the Supreme Court's 50 per cent cap on total reservations.

Parallel work is underway on electoral rolls. Ward-wise voter lists, polling stations and other logistics are being updated, though earlier deadlines have slipped. The State Election Commission is expected to issue a revised schedule soon.

Legal hurdles could also shape the final election map. Elections in 23 urban bodies may be deferred due to pending court cases related to earlier mergers of gram panchayats into municipalities and corporations. Separate notifications may be issued once these disputes are resolved.

Meanwhile, attention has turned to the appointment of a new State Election Commissioner, with the government expected to take a call by the end of the month.

With delimitation, reservations and legal clearances all in play, the roadmap to urban polls is taking shape, but the final timeline will depend on how quickly these pieces fall into place.