New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday decided to extend the Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls timing by one hour. This comes after some parties recommended the extension of poll timings due to social distancing norms. While announcing the decision, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that the details will be divulged when the actual announcement of the elections will be made.
“Tamil Nadu Assembly tenure due to expire on May 24, 2021. Elections are due for 234 Assembly constituencies; General: 188, SC: 44 & ST: 02. Election Commission committed to COVID- safe elections with special focus on the participation of new voters & women,” Sunil Arora said.
“Election for Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency will be conducted along with Tamil Nadu election,” he further informed.
The top brass of the Election Commission on Wednesday reached the poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala to take stock of election preparedness. The commission has already visited Assam and West Bengal.
The terms of the legislative assemblies of the four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry end on different dates in May and June and the elections are likely to take place in April. The commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar, will be in Tamil Nadu on February 10 and 11.
They would visit neighbouring Puducherry on February 12 and Kerala on February 13 and 14 to interact with poll officials and civil and police officers to take stock of election preparedness. The commission also interacts with political parties.
The commission usually visits poll-bound states before announcing the election schedule. But in the case of Bihar, the poll panel had visited Patna after announcing the election dates.