The state election commission on Wednesday set the ball rolling for polls to 102 civic bodies, including the Calcutta Municipal Corporation and the Howrah Municipal Corporation, by April, holding the first preparatory meeting with the authorities of three districts and issuing instructions.

During the meeting with officials of North and South 24-Parganas and Howrah, the state election commission asked the authorities to start the process of selecting poll officials and identifying booths.

Although the Bengal government has not communicated to the state poll panel the possible dates for the polls, sources said the ruling establishment wanted the elections to the municipal corporations in Calcutta and Howrah to be held on April 12 and those at the remaining municipalities on April 26.