T.N. Assembly election 2026: 128 vehicles deployed for election monitoring in Chennai

Following the announcement of the schedule for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by the Election Commission of India on Sunday, monitoring teams began operations to enforce election regulations across the 16 Assembly constituencies in the city.

A total of 128 vehicles carrying flying squads, static surveillance teams and video surveillance teams were flagged off from the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Ripon Buildings complex to commence election monitoring work.

Each of the 16 constituencies has been allotted eight vehicles comprising three flying squads, three static surveillance teams, and two video surveillance teams.

The teams will function in shifts, with flying squads and static surveillance teams operating in three daily rotations and video surveillance teams in two rotations. Each flying squad and static surveillance team vehicle will be led by an executive magistrate-rank officer, accompanied by an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, police personnel, an armed constable and a videographer.

Video surveillance teams will consist of an executive magistrate-rank officer and a videographer, according to a press release.

The teams will monitor violations of the Model Code of Conduct, including movement of cash, liquor, arms and explosives, attempts to bribe voters, and expenditure related to election campaigns. Public meetings, rallies, and other political events will also be videographed, the release added.

The election is scheduled to take place on April 23 and the votes will be counted on May 4. A toll-free control room number, 1800 425 7012, has been set up for the public to report election-related complaints, according to Chennai District Election Officer and Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran.