Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar recently assessed the readiness for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The state’s total electorate now stands at 5,67,07,380 following a thorough electoral roll revision, with women outnumbering men. Notably, there are 12,51,742 first-time voters aged 18-19 in the state.
To ensure a seamless voting process, the Election Commission of India has set up 75,032 polling stations, including 44,065 in rural areas. Kumar emphasized the importance of maintaining a maximum of 1,200 voters per station to prevent congestion and delays. Encouraging a high voter turnout, he urged young voters to actively participate in the democratic process.
Applauding Tamil Nadu’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as a national model, the CEC highlighted the minimal appeals post-revision, showcasing the professionalism of the process. All polling stations will be equipped with webcasting facilities for enhanced transparency. The introduction of the ‘ECINET’ app will provide real-time updates on voting percentages at individual stations, ensuring prompt dissemination of turnout data.
Addressing the tradition of physical nomination submissions, Kumar emphasized the availability of digital options while accommodating candidates’ preferences. Accessibility measures such as ground-floor booths, ramps, wheelchairs, and volunteer assistance for seniors and persons with disabilities have been implemented. The Commission issued a stern warning against electoral misconduct, emphasizing the freezing of accounts involved in illicit money flow.
Comparing the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections to the recent Bihar polls, Kumar expressed confidence in a more transparent, fair, and memorable electoral process. He stressed the importance of compliance with cash limits to avoid inconveniences during checks post-election announcement.
