Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, together with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, reviewed the preparedness for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election in Chennai on Thursday (February 26, 2026).
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, together with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held an in depth and complete assessment of the preparedness for the approaching Tamil Nadu Assembly election in Chennai on Thursday (February 26, 2026).
They interacted with representatives of the recognised nationwide and State political events and sought their options, an official launch mentioned. Among the events that took half on the assembly have been the DMK, the AIADMK, the Congress, the BJP, the CPI(M), the VCK, the DMDK, the NTK, the BSP, the AAP, and the NPP.
Most events appreciated the Election Commission for the peaceable and clean conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, the discharge mentioned. “Political parties urged the Commission to take stringent measures to curb the use of money power and distribution of freebies during elections. Some political parties asked for an increase in the number of flying squads to curb malpractices during elections.” Some events urged the Commission to remember the upcoming festivals whereas finalising the election schedule.
DMK organising secretary R.S. Bharathi and authorized wing secretary N.R. Elango mentioned in a illustration that the age cohort particulars within the closing electoral rolls weren’t absolutely revealed and plenty of District Election Officers have been reluctant to share them. They added that the names and different particulars weren’t correctly recorded and previous voter ID card particulars continued to be referenced. In a separate illustration, CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam demanded that the Assembly election be carried out in a single part. The CPI(M) additionally demanded the resequencing of the position of machines within the order of poll unit, adopted by management unit, and VVPAT. The celebration urged the Commission to offer new EPIC playing cards with revised half and serial numbers to all electors and guarantee consuming water and different amenities at polling cubicles on the day of polling.
Mr. Gyanesh Kumar assured the events that their options can be thought-about, the discharge mentioned.
The Commission additionally held an in depth dialogue with the heads/nodal officers of enforcement businesses, IGs, DIGs, DEOs, and SPs on election planning, EVM administration, logistics, coaching of election employees, seizures, legislation and order, voter consciousness, and outreach actions.
The Commission directed the heads/nodal officers of the enforcement businesses to behave with impartiality and clamp down on all inducements. It additionally directed the DEOs and the SPs to prioritise voters’ consolation and accessibility at polling stations, impart strong coaching to officers, and guarantee vast consciousness of the electoral processes. The Commission additionally directed the officers to behave with out worry or favour and harassed that there can be zero tolerance in direction of any deviation from the principles and legal guidelines.
RS ballot notification
The Commission issued the notification for the biennial election from Tamil Nadu to 6 seats within the Rajya Sabha. The tenure of the six sitting members will expire on April 2. According to the notification, R. Santhi, Additional Secretary, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat, can be the Returning Officer, and P. Thenmozhi, Joint Secretary, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat, can be the Assistant Returning Officer. Nominations ought to be delivered by a candidate or by any of his proposers to both of them on the workplace of the Returning Officer/Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Chennai-600009 between 11 a.m. and three p.m. on any day (besides on February 28 and March 1 declared public holidays) and never later than March 5.
The nominations can be scrutinised on the workplace of the Returning Officer/Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly Secretariat, at 11 a.m. on March 6. Notice of withdrawal of candidature could also be delivered both by a candidate or by any of his proposers or by his authorised agent to both of the officers earlier than 3 p.m. on March 9.
“In the event of the election being contested, polling will be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 16 at the Legislature Committee Room on the Ground Floor of the Main Secretariat Building, Secretariat, Chennai-600009,” the notification mentioned.
Published – February 26, 2026 11:39 pm IST
