With the preparation of electoral rolls after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Ernakulam district administration has shifted into assembly election mode and launched a series of preparations for the upcoming state polls. The district election wing has drawn up a detailed plan for the election process, which will be submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer soon, sources said.
The first phase of training for Election Officers along with First Level Check (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Record (VVPAT) has already been completed.
Several inspection and monitoring teams will be formed in the coming days to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections in accordance with the instructions of the Election Commission. These include flying squads that respond promptly to breaches of the model code of conduct; static tracking teams to track the movement of cash and materials; video surveillance teams to document campaign activities; video surveillance teams to review footage for model code violations; and accounting teams to track candidate spending.
“Preparatory work is progressing fast as the announcement of elections is expected anytime after the visit of the Election Commission to the state. The visit is tentatively scheduled for March 5,” said a district election officer.
Officials in the ranks of deputy selectmen were transferred from their home precincts on Saturday (February 21) as part of a routine pre-election move aimed at preventing local influence or conflicts of interest.
Meanwhile, the police department has intensified preparations at the ground level. District Superintendent of Police (Ernakulam Rural) KS Sudarshan recently visited UC College, Aluva, and MA College, Kothamangalam, where counting centers will be set up, and reviewed the security arrangements and infrastructure at the institutions.
The Kochi City Police has also stepped up surveillance of suspected anti-social elements and known criminals to prevent attempts to disrupt public order during the election period.
Published – 22 February 2026 19:40 IST
