பெண்களுக்கு அருகாமையில் தேர்தல் பணி வழங்க வேண்டும் என தேர்தல் கமிஷன் அறிவுறுத்தல்

பெண்களுக்கு அருகாமையில் தேர்தல் பணி வழங்க வேண்டும் என தேர்தல் கமிஷன் அறிவுறுத்தல் The Election Commission has instructed that election duties be assigned to women in close proximity to their homes.

பெண் ஆசிரியர்கள் அலுவலகப் பணியாளர்கள் தேர்தல் அன்று காலை இரண்டு மணி நேரம் முன்பாக வாக்குச்சாவடிக்கு பணிக்கு வரும் வகையில் அருகாமையில் தேர்தல் பணி வழங்க வேண்டும் என தேர்தல் கமிஷன் அறிவுறுத்தல்

By Speed Post

PUBLIC (ELECTIONS.III) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-600 009.

From

e-mail/Letter No.8830/2025-35, Dated: 01.04.2026.

Tmt. Archana Patnaik, 1.A.S., Chief Electoral Officer & Principal Secretary to Government All District Election Officers.

To All Returning Officers of Assembly Constituencies (Thro' DEOs). (with enclosures to all) Madam/Sir,

Sub: ELECTIONS General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, 2026 Randomization of female polling personnel Election Commission's instructions Communicated. Ref: 1. From the Election Commission of India, letter No.464/INST/2022/EPS, Dated: 15.03.2023.

2. This office letter No.8830/2025-30, Public (Elecs.III) Department, dated: 18.03.2026.

3. From the Election Commission of India, letter P. No. 464/ TN LA/2026/SS-1/Inst./3465, dated 25.03.2026.

I am to invite your attention to the reference first cited wherein (copy enclosed), the Election Commission has issued detailed instructions regarding the preparation and randomization of polling personnel. Among others, in Para V, point (a) of the said letter, it is mentioned that the- "The female polling personnel should not be put on duty on the basis of computer randomization process. They should be put on duty in the neighbouring polling stations through manual randomization under the guidance of the Observers, so that they are able to go to the polling stations on the morning of the poll day at least 2 hours before the start of polling and assume their duties well in time."

2. I am to state that based on the instructions issued during the General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2014, General Klections to Tamil Nadu Legislative

This document is a letter from the Public (Elections.III) Department in Chennai regarding instructions for the randomization of polling personnel for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly General Elections.

Manual Randomization Required: Female polling personnel should not be assigned through the computer randomization process.

Neighboring Assignments: They must be assigned to neighboring polling stations using manual randomization supervised by Observers.

Timing: This process ensures they can arrive at the polling station at least two hours before voting begins.

Reference: The instructions are based on previous guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India. 2024, the Election Commission of India has been informed that it is felt that in place of such a randomization, existing system of computer based randomization may continue. However, District Election Officers may be allowed to prepare a negative list of polling stations of inaccessible or remotely located, where no female polling personnel shall be posted. Approval of the Election Commission of India in this regard has been requested vide this office letter second cited (copy enclosed).

3. The Election Commission, in its letter dated: 25.03.2026, has stated that the Commission has approved the proposal to continue existing system of computer based randomization with directions to prepare a negative list of polling stations which are inaccessible or remotely located and no female polling personnel shall be posted to those Polling stations (inaccessible or remotely Polling stations).

4. The Election Commission has further stated that it shall be ensured that other instructions contained in the Commission's letter No.464/INST/2022/EPS, dated: 15.03.2023 shall complied strictly. A copy of the Election Commission's letter third cited is enclosed.

5. I am also to request you to make necessary basic facilities in polling stations to the polling personnel including transport facility, especially female polling personnel during the deployment of poll duty. The Software for the Randomization of Polling Personnel will allocate the same Assembly Constituency (where the female Polling Personnel are residing) for the female Polling Personnel to the maximum possible extent.

6. The above instructions are brought to the notice of Observer, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, Zonal Officers and all other election related officials for strict adherence during the General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, 2026. Yours faithfully,

for Chief Electoral Officer & Principal Secretary to Government

Copy to:

The System Manager, Public (Elecs.) Dept. (w.e.) (For follow up action)

This document outlines guidelines from the Election Commission of India for assigning polling personnel in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.

Computer Randomization: The existing computer-based randomization system for personnel will continue, but District Election Officers can designate a "negative list" of inaccessible polling stations where female staff will not be assigned.

Female Staff Assignments: Software will attempt to assign female polling personnel to stations within their own Assembly Constituency to the maximum extent possible.

Infrastructure: Election officials are instructed to ensure basic facilities and transport, especially for female personnel. Strict Compliance: All officials must strictly adhere to these guidelines and previous instructions from March 2023.