Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, engaged in discussions with recognized national and state political parties in Puducherry to prepare for the upcoming Assembly elections. This visit by the Election Commission of India holds significance amidst increased political activities in the Union Territory as parties gear up for the election schedule announcement.
The delegation, which included the Chief Electoral Officer of Puducherry and other Election Commission senior officials, sought inputs from political parties on electoral rolls, polling infrastructure, law enforcement, and measures to ensure fair elections. The Commission pledged transparency, neutrality, and strict adherence to electoral guidelines to all parties during the consultations.
Emphasizing inclusive, accessible, and technology-driven elections, the Chief Election Commissioner reiterated the Commission’s dedication to conducting a smooth electoral process. Discussions also encompassed voter awareness campaigns, the use of electronic voting machines, voter verifiable paper audit trail systems, and prompt grievance redressal mechanisms. Political representatives highlighted concerns regarding booth arrangements, central force deployment, and election expenditure monitoring.
In addition to the political consultations, the Commission held review meetings with key administrative officials to evaluate the overall readiness of administrative and security arrangements. Focus areas included updated electoral rolls, security deployment, vulnerability assessment, and logistical support for polling staff. This visit is part of the Commission’s nationwide review in preparation for upcoming Assembly elections across states and Union Territories.
The Election Commission is set to closely monitor preparations in the following weeks before finalizing the election schedule. The engagement with political stakeholders aims to enhance trust in the electoral process and ensure a fair electoral environment for all participants in Puducherry’s forthcoming Assembly elections.
