ECI to start first level verification works for poll-bound TN in Jan

Chennai

A lot of logistics work will commence by next month as the assembly polls should be completed by May.

Climate change, corona pandemic and the rising heat waves will be factors that will decide the poll schedule and is likely to be little earlier, informed official sources said.

The number of polling stations is also likely to be increased in the wake of the covid pandemic.

ECI had also started its regular video conferencing meetings with the CEOs of poll-bound states including TN, Puducherry, Kerala, Assam and West Bengal, sources said.

“ECI has started the video conferencing meetings to fast track the poll preparations. On Friday, the commission enquired about the poll preparations in TN. First level checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and polling booths were discussed,” CEO Sathyabrata Sahoo told DT Next.

ECI had also instructed to check out on the mobilisation of EVMs from other states and based on the demand EVMs will be availed from other states.

The ongoing preparation of voters rolls through the special summary camps was also discussed. District election officers have been designated and all the preliminary works for the polls has begun, Sahoo said.

Meanwhile, Sahoo also presided over an online election quiz programme conducted by the Election Commission on Saturday to create poll awareness among TN youngsters.

Sahoo congratulated the winners and gave a pep talk pointing out the significance of elections in a democracy.

According to ECI sources, the election commission team would start visiting the poll-bound states by next month and there are possibilities for the election schedule to be released by March. Usually, 40 to 50 days are given for the political parties and the state election department to complete the poll works, sources said.