Chennai, March 18: In a significant move to ensure free, fair, and smooth conduct of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the state government has allocated ₹800 crore for election-related activities.
This funding aims to address various needs, with a substantial portion dedicated to managing personnel, infrastructure, and Voter Awareness initiatives.
A major part of the expenditure will cover the remuneration of polling staff, particularly the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are crucial for ground-level election management. Officials estimate that around ₹100 crore will be spent solely on compensating BLOs deployed on polling day.
To enhance transparency and security, the election department has initiated the installation of one lakh IP-based CCTV cameras on a rental basis. These cameras will be set up across 75,032 polling stations in the state, enabling real-time monitoring and strengthening vigilance mechanisms. Chennai district alone has 4,079 polling stations, the highest in Tamil Nadu.
In preparation for vote counting, officials are establishing approximately 45 to 46 counting centers to cover all 234 assembly constituencies. Each center will be equipped with robust infrastructure, including secure strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and control units will be kept under strict surveillance after polling concludes.
To prevent unauthorized access, a multi-layered security arrangement is expected to be in place. Alongside logistical preparations, the election department is also focusing on increasing voter participation through its ‘Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation’ (SVEEP) program.
To encourage widespread participation, individuals and media organizations creating voter awareness content will receive financial assistance of up to ₹50,000. This initiative aims to improve voter turnout and promote informed participation.
Officials have stated that with a comprehensive plan, advanced monitoring systems, and targeted outreach efforts, Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a significant electoral process that emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity.