Voters participating within the polling course of in the course of the Assembly election in Thripunithura constituency on April 9
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th-online Administrator
Kerala’s voter turnout within the April 9 Assembly elections has tentatively risen to 79.70 per cent after the inclusion of service voters’ postal ballots, CEO Rathan U Kelkar mentioned on Sunday.
Addressing a press convention right here, Kelkar additionally outlined elaborate preparations for the counting of votes scheduled for Monday.
He mentioned the polling share for the Assembly election was 79.63 per cent, excluding postal ballots of service voters.
The chief electoral officer mentioned 53,984 postal ballots had been issued to service voters, of which 20,028 had been obtained as of May 1.
“Service voters can submit postal ballots till before counting begins. We have directed the postal department that postal ballots received from service voters, including on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, should be handed over to the returning officers without delay,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the receipt of service voters’ postal ballots had elevated the polling share by 0.07 share factors.
“The present voting percentage, after including service voters’ inputs, stands at 79.70 per cent on a tentative basis,” he mentioned.
Kelkar mentioned the ultimate turnout determine can be introduced solely after the Election Commission of India releases its official index card, normally 48 hours after counting.
Counting of votes in all 140 Assembly constituencies will start at 8 am throughout 43 places within the state, he mentioned.
As per Election Commission pointers, postal ballots can be counted first, adopted by the counting of EVM votes after a spot of half-hour.
Round-wise counting knowledge can be uploaded in actual time on the Election Commission’s cellular utility and the official portal consequence.eci.gov.in, he mentioned.
A complete of 15,465 counting personnel have been deployed for the train, whereas 32,301 police personnel, together with 20 corporations of Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed for safety at counting centres.
Each Assembly constituency can have a devoted counting observer, largely senior IAS officers, to supervise the method, Kelkar mentioned.
Only individuals with QR-based identification playing cards can be allowed entry into counting centres, he mentioned.
Kelkar mentioned counting employees and safety personnel had undergone detailed coaching, and strict directions had been issued to guarantee there was no haste within the counting course of.
“There is no award for finishing first. But any lapse will invite strict disciplinary action,” he mentioned.
District administrations have been empowered to regulate or limit victory processions if required to keep regulation and order, he mentioned, including that the Model Code of Conduct will stay in power until May 6 or till withdrawn by the Election Commission.
Kelkar additionally warned in opposition to the unfold of misinformation associated to election outcomes.
“Legal action will be taken against those spreading false news or misinformation. The public should rely only on official information released by the Election Commission,” he mentioned.
Published on May 3, 2026