ECI reviews preparedness for the coming Assembly election in Tamil Nadu

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held a detailed and comprehensive review of the preparedness for the coming Tamil Nadu Assembly election in Chennai on Thursday (February 26, 2026).

They interacted with representatives of the recognised national and State political parties and sought their suggestions, an official release said. Among the parties that took part at the meeting were the DMK, the AIADMK, the Congress, the BJP, the CPI(M), the VCK, the DMDK, the NTK, the BSP, the AAP, and the NPP.

Most parties appreciated the Election Commission for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, the release said. “Political parties urged the Commission to take stringent measures to curb the use of money power and distribution of freebies during elections. Some political parties asked for an increase in the number of flying squads to curb malpractices during elections.” Some parties urged the Commission to keep in mind the upcoming festivals while finalising the election schedule.

DMK organising secretary R.S. Bharathi and legal wing secretary N.R.  Elango said in a representation that the age cohort details in the final electoral rolls were not fully published and many District Election Officers were reluctant to share them. They added that the names and other details were not properly recorded and old voter ID card details continued to be referenced. In a separate representation, CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam demanded that the Assembly election be conducted in a single phase. The CPI(M) also demanded the resequencing of the placement of machines in the order of ballot unit, followed by control unit, and VVPAT. The party urged the Commission to provide new EPIC cards with revised part and serial numbers to all electors and ensure drinking water and other facilities at polling booths on the day of polling.

Mr. Gyanesh Kumar assured the parties that their suggestions would be considered, the release said.

The Commission also held a detailed discussion with the heads/nodal officers of enforcement agencies, IGs, DIGs, DEOs, and SPs on election planning, EVM management, logistics, training of election staff, seizures, law and order, voter awareness, and outreach activities.

The Commission directed the heads/nodal officers of the enforcement agencies to act with impartiality and clamp down on all inducements. It also directed the DEOs and the SPs to prioritise voters’ comfort and accessibility at polling stations, impart robust training to officials, and ensure wide awareness of the electoral processes. The Commission also directed the officers to act without fear or favour and stressed that there would be zero tolerance towards any deviation from the rules and laws.

RS poll notification

The Commission issued the notification for the biennial election from Tamil Nadu to six seats in the Rajya Sabha. The tenure of the six sitting members will expire on April 2. According to the notification, R. Santhi, Additional Secretary, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat, would be the Returning Officer, and P. Thenmozhi, Joint Secretary, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat, would be the Assistant Returning Officer. Nominations should be delivered by a candidate or by any of his proposers to either of them at the office of the Returning Officer/Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Chennai-600009 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on any day (except on February 28 and March 1 declared public holidays) and not later than March 5.

The nominations would be scrutinised at the office of the Returning Officer/Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly Secretariat, at 11 a.m. on March 6. Notice of withdrawal of candidature may be delivered either by a candidate or by any of his proposers or by his authorised agent to either of the officers before 3 p.m. on March 9.

“In the event of the election being contested, polling will be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 16 at the Legislature Committee Room on the Ground Floor of the Main Secretariat Building, Secretariat, Chennai-600009,” the notification said.