Planning to ensure record turnout of over 85 per cent in Kerala assembly polls: CEO Kelkar

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ratan U Kelkar on Friday said the upcoming assembly polls will be meticulously planned and executed to ensure a record turnout of over 85 per cent and seamless voting process.

Speaking to reporters here after inaugurating a one-day training session for District Election Officers (DEOs), Kelkar said that the primary objective for the Election Commission (EC) this year was to surpass the historical voter turnout record of 80.5 per cent, which was achieved during the 1987 assembly polls.

To surpass that record, polling stations will be made more inviting to transform the "festival of democracy" from a slogan into an experience for voters, he said.


Also Read: EC to deploy more general, spend & police observers in West Bengal polls

The CEO further said the EC has given a target of 85 per cent turnout, "but we intend to surpass that".

"The strategy includes the establishment of model polling booths designed with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and environmental responsibility. These booths will be clean and responsible, operating without air or noise pollution, and will feature wheelchair-friendly polling tables and refreshment facilities to assist voters," he said.

He also said that the process to update the electoral roll was also reaching its final stages with over 15 lakh applications being submitted after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The CEO further said that the Model Code of Conduct will come into effect immediately upon the official announcement of the election dates.

Following that, a formal meeting with representatives from all political parties will be convened to ensure compliance and cooperation, he said.

Also Read: Opposition backs TMC move to impeach CEC, but many MPs call it poll optics

The overarching goal was to showcase Kerala's capability to host a gold-standard, inclusive, and efficient electoral exercise for the world to see, Kelkar said.

He also said that the one-day training focused on equipping DEOs to implement effective procedures across all districts, supported by nodal officers from various government departments who will coordinate efforts across nine identified thematic areas.