Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with other commissioners, conducted an in-depth assessment in Chandigarh to ensure the state is ready for the elections, which will cover 90 constituencies.
During their two-day visit, ECI officials engaged with representatives from key political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Indian National Lok Dal, and Jannayak Janta Party. The discussions centered around concerns related to free and fair elections, preventing misuse of government resources, and enhancing polling station accessibility for elderly and disabled voters.
For the first time, senior citizens over 85 years old and people with disabilities will have the option to vote from home, with the process being transparently recorded on video. This initiative aims to make voting more accessible and inclusive.
The ECI also held extensive discussions with district and police officials, covering key aspects of election management such as the electoral roll, EVM management, logistics, and voter awareness. The final electoral roll, set to be published on August 27, will include approximately 2.01 crore registered voters, with over 4.5 lakh first-time voters and a significant number of senior citizens and disabled voters.
A total of 20,629 polling stations will be established, marking an increase from previous elections. These stations will be spread across both rural and urban areas, with special arrangements for women and youth-managed stations. To ensure transparency, webcasting will be implemented in all polling stations.
The ECI has introduced several technological tools to support the election process, including the cVIGIL app for reporting violations, the SUVIDHA app for managing candidate permissions, the KYC app for candidate information, and the Saksham app to assist disabled voters.
To curb the use of money and other inducements, the ECI has instructed enforcement agencies to collaborate closely, monitoring cash, liquor, and drug transactions, as well as overseeing all cash transfers and online activities. The Commission has assured political parties that all concerns will be addressed to ensure a fair and transparent election process.