Chennai, Apr 15:
In a voter-friendly move ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, authorities in Chennai have introduced a colour-coded system at polling stations to simplify the voting process and reduce confusion among voters.
The initiative will be implemented across all 16 Assembly constituencies in the city, particularly in polling locations that house more than ten booths within the same premises. With large voter turnout expected, officials believe the system will significantly improve navigation and crowd management.
District Election Officer J. Kumaragurubaran said that colour-coded pathways and signboards will be used to guide voters directly to their designated booths. Each booth will be assigned a specific colour, and voters can follow clearly marked routes from entry points, ensuring a smoother and quicker voting experience.
Chennai has a total of 4,085 polling booths spread across 1,197 polling locations. In several places, including schools in areas such as Purasawalkam, pathways have already been painted in distinct colours like sky blue, pink and green to help voters easily identify their booths.
To further enhance voter convenience, authorities have made additional arrangements such as separate entry and exit points at select polling centres, clear directional maps, and dedicated facilities for persons with disabilities. Mobile phone storage racks have also been set up at certain locations.
Officials noted that some polling stations are expected to handle up to 9,000 voters, making these measures essential for efficient crowd control and ensuring a hassle-free voting process.
With these initiatives, election authorities aim to provide a more organised and accessible voting experience for citizens across Chennai.