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Tamil Nadu Poll Prep: 2,787 Booths Gear Up as Officials Cast Postal Votes

The deployment of polling staff to 2,787 booths in Tiruchirappalli district has commenced, with officials also casting their postal votes as they will be on duty during the April 23 election. Tamil Nadu police are conducting surprise inspections in lodges to enforce the Model Code of Conduct and ensure no outstation campaigners remain. Essential polling materials, including EVMs, are scheduled for distribution to all stations. Key constituencies like Tiruchirappalli West and East are poised for intense multi-cornered contests in the single-phase state election.

Key Points: Tamil Nadu Election Prep: Polling Staff Deployed, Postal Votes Cast

  • Deployment to 2,787 polling booths begins
  • Officials cast postal votes ahead of duty
  • Police conduct surprise lodge inspections
  • EVMs and election materials to be distributed
3 min read

Polling staff deployment begins across 2,787 Booths in Tiruchirappalli District, officials cast postal votes

Final preparations underway for Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. Polling staff deployed to 2,787 booths in Tiruchirappalli, officials cast postal votes, police intensify checks.

"Polling officials have been instructed to reach their respective polling booths and be in a state of readiness by 6 PM. - Election Officials"

Tiruchirappalli, April 22

The process of issuing official appointment letters to polling personnel across 2,787 stations commenced on Wednesday, marking a crucial step in the final preparations for the upcoming elections. Along with receiving their deployment orders, the officials also cast their postal votes.

Polling officials have been instructed to reach their respective polling booths and be in a state of readiness by 6 PM.

Meanwhile, after 2 PM, all essential materials required for polling, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and a total of 117 election-related items, will be distributed and delivered to the polling stations.

On Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu police carried out surprise inspections in lodges across Tiruchirappalli as part of intensified enforcement of election norms, ahead of the Assembly elections on April 23. According to officials, the checks were being conducted to ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct, particularly after the campaign deadline.

Authorities verified lodge registers to identify whether any outstation political party workers involved in campaigning are staying beyond the permitted time.

Rooms are also being inspected to ensure no violations, as part of strict monitoring ahead of the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu.

With polling scheduled to be held across Tamil Nadu in a single phase on April 23, election campaigning officially came to an end at 6 pm today.

Following the close of campaigning, election flying squads have intensified vehicle checks across Tiruchirappalli.

On Friday, the process of collecting postal votes from government employees, teachers, journalists, and other personnel engaged in essential election duties commenced across Tamil Nadu.

As part of this, officials from various departments involved in election work were casting their votes at the Revenue Divisional Officer's office in Tiruchirappalli.

Since many of these personnel will be deployed outside their respective constituencies or will be on duty on polling day, special arrangements have been made to facilitate postal voting for them.

As permitted by the Election Commission, government officials, media personnel, police, fire service staff, and other essential workers engaged in election duties are exercising their franchise through postal ballots.

This comes ahead of the single-phased Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on April 23, with counting of votes on May 4.

Tiruchirappalli West Assembly constituency is heading into the April 23 polls as one of the most closely seat with DMK's KN Nehru, a Cabinet minister seeking a fourth term from this seat against AMMK Rajasekaran, who represents NDA and the entry of TVK's G Ramamoorthy, making this a genuinely three-cornered contest for the first time in the seat's recent history.

Meanwhile, Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency is set for a high-voltage contest between TVK chief Vijay and incumbent DMK MLA Inigo S Irudayaraj, who won in 2021.

Earlier on April 12, Deputy Election Commissioner Bhanu Prakash Yeturu chaired a high-level meeting in Tiruchirappalli to review poll preparedness ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The postal vote facility for officials is a great initiative. My uncle is a teacher and is on polling duty in a different zone. At least he doesn't lose his vote. The EC is doing a commendable job with these arrangements.
R
Rahul R
Tiruchy East is going to be very interesting with TVK's Vijay entering the fray. But all this preparation will be meaningless if cash distribution happens tonight. Hope the flying squads are truly vigilant and not just for show.
M
Michael C
As an observer, the scale of Indian elections is always impressive. 2,787 booths in one district alone! The logistical coordination to get EVMs and materials to all of them on time is a massive undertaking. Best of luck to all the polling staff.
A
Anjali F
While the arrangements seem thorough, I hope the focus is also on making polling stations accessible for elderly and disabled voters. Last time, my grandmother had to wait in a long queue without any seating. Small comforts matter too.
K
Karthik V
Surprise checks in lodges is a smart move. Must stop those "guest workers" from other states who come just to influence voters. The model code of conduct must be enforced strictly. Let the best candidate win based on local work, not outside muscle power.

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