326 Central Observers briefed ahead of April 23 polling in Tamil Nadu; only one re-poll recommended out of over 63,000 polling stations across Assembly and bye-elections
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, April 10,2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday conducted an extensive review of poll preparedness in Tamil Nadu while also announcing that only one re-poll has been recommended following scrutiny of documents from recently concluded Assembly and bye-elections across multiple states.
Review Meeting for Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held a comprehensive briefing session with Central Observers deployed for the ongoing General Election to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Polling in the state is scheduled for April 23, 2026.
The meeting, conducted via videoconference, was attended by 326 Central Observers—including General, Police and Expenditure Observers—along with the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu. The observers have been deployed across all 234 Assembly Constituencies in the state.
According to the Commission, the deployment includes 136 General Observers, 40 Police Observers and 150 Expenditure Observers, bringing the total number of Central Observers to 326.
The Commission directed the observers to ensure that polling is conducted in a “festive, free and fair manner,” without any inducement, intimidation or violence. Emphasis was laid on strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, with instructions to take immediate action on complaints of violations.
Observers were asked to widely publicise their contact details and schedule grievance hearings to facilitate easy access for the public, political parties, candidates and their agents.
The Commission also issued detailed operational guidelines. Observers were instructed to ensure proper training of Presiding Officers, with special focus on timely uploading of two-hourly voter turnout data and final polling figures on the ECINET portal. They were told to verify correct application of indelible ink, accurate completion of Form 17-C, and its distribution to polling agents at the close of polls. Special attention was also directed toward ensuring deletion of mock poll data before the start of actual voting.
In view of the prevailing hot weather conditions, the Commission directed officials to ensure assured minimum facilities at all polling stations, including availability of drinking water, adequate shade and seating arrangements for voters in queues. Mobile phone deposit facilities at polling stations were also to be provided where necessary.
Additionally, the Commission instructed that webcasting control rooms be thoroughly checked and trial runs conducted in the presence of monitoring staff. Personnel assigned to webcasting surveillance were to be properly trained to detect and flag any irregularities in real time.
Post-Poll Scrutiny and Re-Poll Decision
In a related development, the ECI announced the outcome of post-poll scrutiny conducted in 296 Assembly Constituencies that recently went to polls in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, along with four Assembly Constituencies that held bye-elections in Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura.
The scrutiny process covered 63,084 polling stations and involved examination of Form 17A (Register of Voters), Form 17-C and other poll-day records. A total of 1,899 candidates were informed in advance about the date, time and venue of scrutiny to enable their participation or representation during the process.
The exercise was carried out in the presence of 296 Returning Officers and 296 General Observers appointed by the Commission. The entire process was videographed to ensure transparency, and after scrutiny, all relevant documents were re-sealed with the Returning Officer’s seal.
Following the detailed examination, only one re-poll was recommended. The Commission has directed that re-polling be conducted at Polling Station 239—Babyland High English School—in the 123-Karimganj North Assembly Constituency of Assam. The re-poll is scheduled for April 11, 2026.
The Commission stated that the limited number of re-poll recommendations reflects the overall smooth conduct of elections across states. It reiterated its commitment to transparency, procedural integrity and prompt corrective action wherever required.
With preparations underway in Tamil Nadu and post-poll scrutiny completed in other states, the Election Commission emphasised that it remains vigilant to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process across the country.
