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Kerala Deploys 1.46 Lakh Polling Staff for High-Stakes Assembly Election

Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U Kelkar, has announced the deployment of 1.46 lakh trained personnel for the single-phase assembly polls on April 9. The election involves a massive electorate of over 2.7 crore voters, with votes to be counted on May 4. Authorities have registered FIRs against 180 people for election-related activities as campaigning concluded, ushering in a 48-hour silence period. The high-stakes contest is primarily between the ruling LDF, the opposition UDF, and the BJP-led NDA, with the Left front aiming for a historic third consecutive term.

Key Points: Kerala Assembly Polls: 1.46 Lakh Staff Deployed, 180 FIRs Filed

  • 1.46 lakh polling staff deployed
  • 2.7 crore electorate
  • 180 election-related FIRs
  • Campaigning ends, silence period begins
  • Contest between LDF, UDF, and NDA
2 min read

"1.46 lakh polling personnel will be dispatched to polling stations": Keralam CEO

Kerala CEO announces deployment of 1.46 lakh polling personnel for April 9 assembly elections, with 180 election-related FIRs registered. 2.7 crore voters to decide.

"We have 1.46 lakh polling personnel who have been trained and will be dispatched to all the polling stations - Rathan U Kelkar"

Thiruvananthapuram, April 8

Keralam Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar on Tuesday said that 1.46 lakh trained polling personnel will be dispatched to all the polling stations for the Kerala assembly polls scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.

Around 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the election.

He further informed that FIRs in election-related activities have been registered against 180 people.

"As part of the arrangements for Kerala Assembly elections, we have the total electorate of 2.71 crores, and the service voters are 53,984... We will be counting the votes in 140 strong rooms and 43 locations. We have 1.46 lakh polling personnel who have been trained and will be dispatched to all the polling stations... We have FIRs against 180 people in terms of election-related activities, and more than 1,200 police teams are very actively working in the field... We are ensuring that all the new initiatives by the Election Commission are implemented properly," he said.

Meanwhile, the last day of campaigning for the Keralam assembly polls drew to a sizzling close on Tuesday with a high-voltage political "roast," which turned to be the highlight of a long, sweltering and humid day.

The almost a month-long campaigning by political parties came to a close at 6 pm on Tuesday and the State entered the mandatory 48-hour silence period ahead of polling for the 140-seat Assembly.

The election is seen as a contest between the ruling LDF and opposition UDF, with the BJP-led NDA, which has been gaining vote share, also hopeful of its prospects in the southern state.

Left Democratic Front holds 99 seats in the current assembly and is aiming for a third consecutive term on its performance and welfare schemes. The LDF created a record in 2021 as it retained the southern state, which has over the decades, seen power alternating between the coalitions led by CPI(M) and Congress.

The elections are crucial for the Left front as Kerala is the only state where it is in power, having been squeezed in Tripura and West Bengal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
The scale is mind-boggling! 2.7 crore voters and 1.46 lakh polling staff. It's a massive democratic exercise. The FIRs against 180 people show they are taking malpractices seriously. Good to see such detailed preparation.
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Priya S
As a Keralite, I appreciate the effort. But I hope the 'trained' personnel are actually effective on ground. Last time, there were some issues with EVMs in my area. The silence period is much needed after that intense campaigning! 🤞
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Rohit P
This election is very important. LDF aiming for a third term is a big deal in Kerala's history of alternating governments. Hope people vote based on development work and not just empty promises. The high number of FIRs is concerning though.
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Michael C
Respectfully, while the numbers are impressive, I hope the focus is on quality of the process, not just quantity of personnel. Training is key. Also, 1200 police teams is a significant deployment. Safety and order must be the top priority.
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Ananya R
My uncle is one of the polling officers! He's been in training for days. It's a tough job, especially in the summer heat. Hats off to all the staff ensuring our democratic right. Let's all go out and vote responsibly! 🇮🇳

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