As Tamil Nadu prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo announced the deployment of web cameras in 44,800 out of 68,321 polling stations across the state. This move aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process, with approximately 65% of polling booths in each constituency set to be monitored by the web camera system.
Speaking to media personnel, Sahoo outlined the comprehensive preparations underway for the elections, including the installation of web cameras and the formation of zone-level teams to oversee polling station operations. Each zone-level team, comprising election officials, security personnel, and engineers from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), will be responsible for monitoring and addressing any issues that may arise during polling.
In addition to monitoring polling stations, Sahoo provided insights into the postal voting process, detailing the procedures for officials on election duty and individuals unable to vote at training centers. Officials on election duty have until 6 pm on April 18 to cast their postal votes, while those unable to vote in person can send their votes via registered post to the Returning Officer of their respective constituency. Measures are in place to ensure the timely dispatch of postal votes to counting centers by June 3, ensuring the inclusion of all eligible votes in the electoral process.
Highlighting the efforts to uphold the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Sahoo revealed that a cumulative seizure worth Rs. 1,297 crore has been made as of April 16. This includes cash, valuables, and narcotics confiscated by flying and static surveillance teams deployed across the state.