The Tamil Nadu Election Department has reassigned 1,249 staff from various government departments to enhance readiness for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. This action is part of a broader initiative to handle the anticipated surge in administrative tasks and logistics before the polls. The redeployment is a continuation of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, ensuring updated and error-free voter lists for the election.
The Election Department has initiated various preparatory measures, including assessing polling station infrastructure, organizing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and reinforcing election management systems statewide. Anticipating a significant increase in workload upon the formal announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission, the state government plans to create 1,249 temporary posts and assign personnel from multiple departments to support election authorities.
The reassigned personnel will undertake diverse responsibilities related to election operations, such as aiding in polling station arrangements, managing EVM distribution and storage, conducting voter awareness programs, and facilitating communication between district election offices and the state headquarters. They will also play a crucial role in upholding the Model Code of Conduct, overseeing political activities, preventing public property defacement, and ensuring compliance with election regulations by political entities.
Another crucial task for the additional staff will be promoting voter awareness campaigns. The Election Department aims to intensify efforts to encourage citizens to verify their details in the electoral rolls and actively engage in the democratic process. As per the government directive, these redeployed positions will be active from the appointment date until June 30, covering the entire election preparation, polling, and post-poll administrative phases.
The personnel will be stationed in various districts, including key urban and administrative hubs like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Kancheepuram, and Villupuram. Election officials believe that the additional workforce will significantly bolster the state’s election machinery, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and guideline-compliant conduct of the Assembly polls.
