Polling Stations in Tamil Nadu Go Up to 75035 From 68467 in SIR
Reason for the rationalization was to ensure that all family members were kept in the same section and at the same place
Chennai: The number of polling stations in the State have gone up to 75035 from the earlier 68467 as per a rationalization process carried out as part of the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral rolls, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
An official press release from the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Archana Patnaik on Wednesday said that rationalization of polling stations formation of new sections were carried out as part of SIR as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India.
All 234 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 38 District Election Officers conducted meetings with the representatives of recognised political parties and the list of polling stations were prepared after considering the suggestions and requests of the political parties, he said.
The District Election Officers had sent proposals for rationalisation of polling stations, received from the EROs, based on certain criteria like creation of new Polling station where Electors strength was more than 1200, the release said.
Other proposals were rearrangement of sections between parts, creation of sections, change of location/building of Polling stations, change of Nomenclature and merger of Polling stations.
Apart from 1200 voters limit for a polling station, the rationalization was carried out on the basis of having a polling station within two kilometre radius so that no voter was required to travel more than 2 kilometres to cast their vote.
Other factors that were taken into account for the rationalization were no polling station was located in police stations, hospitals, temples or places having religious significance, no station was located within 200 metre of a political party office.
Another reason for the rationalization was to ensure that all family members were kept in the same section and at the same place.
