Poll preparatory measures discussed in inter-State meeting

Preparatory measures for the upcoming Assembly election were discussed in a meeting attended by District Collectors and Superintendents of Police from Tamil Nadu and Kerala held at Coimbatore Collectorate on Wednesday.

Presided over by Coimbatore District Collector and District Election Officer Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, the meeting focused on streamlining inter-State security and administrative protocols to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.

Palakkad Collector M.S. Madhavikutty, Ernakulam Collector G. Priyanka, Idukki Collector Dinesan Cheruvat and Thrissur Collector Arjun Pandian took part in the discussions along with Coimbatore District Superintendent of Police K. Karthikeyan, Palakkad SP Ajith Kumar, Idukki SP K.M. Sabu Mathew and Thrissur SP Ilango R., while Ernakulam SP K.S. Sudarshan attended via video conferencing.

Discussions primarily centred around five key Assembly constituencies in Coimbatore district that share borders with Kerala, namely Mettupalayam (111), Kavundampalayam (117), Kinathukadavu (122), Pollachi (123) and Valparai (124). The number of polling stations in these constituencies, inter-State check posts and check posts bordering Erode, the Nilgiris, and Tiruppur districts were reviewed. Data related to previous seizures of cash, jewellery and liquor, records of licensed firearms and general law and order maintenance were scrutinised.

Discussions were held on strengthening the monitoring of illegal movement of cash and goods. Officials from both States agreed to carry out joint inspections in border regions, install additional surveillance cameras at check posts and deploy more personnel for rigorous monitoring. Measures were also proposed to identify and remove ‘duplicate voters’, individuals whose names might appear on the electoral rolls of both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Assistant Returning Officers, senior administrative staff, officials from Commercial Taxes, Excise, Income Tax and Lead Bank were also present.