Number of polling stations in Tamil Nadu rises to 75,088

The number of electors at each polling station has been restricted to 1,200.

The number of polling stations in Tamil Nadu has increased from 75,032 to 75,088 following rationalisation carried out as part of the ongoing Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls by the Election Commission of India.

According to an official release from Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, 134 new polling stations were created during the rationalisation, while 78 polling stations were merged, resulting in a net increase of 56 polling stations. Further, 357 polling stations have undergone a change of location, while the sections have been rearranged in 491 polling stations.

The list of finalised polling stations received from the District Election Officers was sent to the Election Commission of India, which subsequently approved it.The rationalisation of polling stations was carried out based on certain criteria. The number of electors at each polling station has been restricted to 1,200. A polling station has been provided within every two-kilometre radius to ensure that no voter has to travel more than two kilometres to cast their vote.

No polling station is located in a police station, hospital, temple or any place of religious significance. Further, no political party office is located within 200 metres of a polling station. All members of a family have been retained in the same section and at the same location.

During the rationalisation exercise, all 234 Electoral Registration Officers and 38 District Election Officers held meetings with representatives of recognised political parties. The list of polling stations was finalised after taking into account the suggestions and requests made by the political parties, the release added.