EC to decide on single-phase Tamil Nadu polls: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday said political parties in Tamil Nadu have proposed holding Assembly elections in a single phase. He added that the Election Commission will take a final call after considering all relevant factors. The decision on the phases of polling will be announced along with the official election schedule.

Speaking at a press conference, Kumar lauded the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, calling it a “model for the country” and a “great success.” He assured that all necessary amenities will be provided at around 75,000 polling stations across the state.

On vote counting, the Chief Election Commissioner said mandatory VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) verification will be conducted. Even after counting is completed, candidates can, by paying a fee, verify the EVM results against VVPAT slips within the next seven days. Among new initiatives, postal ballots will now be counted in two rounds before EVM counting begins, he added.

The Election Commission’s proposed single-phase polls aim to cut costs, simplify logistics, and reduce voter fatigue. Mandatory VVPAT verification enhances transparency, early counting of postal ballots speeds results, and amenities at 75,000 polling stations improve voter comfort and accessibility. Conducting a statewide single-phase poll demands massive security deployment, technical glitches in EVMs/VVPATs could disrupt counting, postal ballot processing is complex, and voter awareness across all districts must be ensured.

To tackle these challenges, security forces will be coordinated with technological monitoring. Backup EVMs and rapid troubleshooting teams will address technical issues. Postal ballots will be dispatched early and counted in dedicated rounds, while awareness campaigns, helplines, and volunteer support will guide voters effectively.