Chennai, February 27 (NationPress) The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar conducted a review on Friday regarding the readiness for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which are set to be announced soon. He revealed that the number of female voters surpasses that of male voters in the state. Following an extensive revision of the electoral rolls, the total electorate now stands at 5,67,07,380, which includes 2,89,60,838 women and 2,77,38,925 men.

During a press briefing in Chennai, CEC Kumar highlighted that there are 12,51,742 first-time voters within the 18-19 age bracket.

To facilitate a seamless voting process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 75,032 polling stations, with 44,065 located in rural regions.

"To mitigate congestion and delays, we have limited the number of voters per station to 1,200," Kumar stated.

With aspirations for an unprecedented voter turnout in the upcoming elections, the Chief Election Commissioner urged the youth of Tamil Nadu to spearhead this 'festival of democracy', emphasizing that the state consistently showcases a high voter turnout.

The CEC commended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative in Tamil Nadu, branding it as a 'model for the entire nation'. He noted that only about 200 appeals were lodged post-exercise, reflecting the professionalism involved.

In a bid to bolster transparency, all polling stations will feature webcasting capabilities.

Kumar mentioned the introduction of the 'ECINET' app, which will deliver real-time updates regarding voting statistics at individual stations to prevent delays in announcing voter turnout numbers.

Addressing the 'festival of democracy', the CEC also touched on the topic of physical nomination submissions. While a digital option is available, many candidates prefer to submit their nomination papers physically, accompanied by supporters, as a part of electoral tradition.

He outlined accessibility provisions, including ground-floor booths, ramps, wheelchairs, and volunteer assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

The Commission issued a strong warning against electoral malpractices, stating that accounts tied to illicit monetary flows will be frozen.

Traders were cautioned to carry cash within allowable limits to prevent issues during inspections following the election date announcement.

Kumar compared the upcoming elections to the recent polls in Bihar, stating, "While the Bihar elections were executed flawlessly, the Tamil Nadu elections will be even more transparent, fair, and memorable."