ECI conducts training for poll officials from eight districts

Trichy: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday commenced a two-day training programme for returning officers (ROs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) from eight districts, as part of preparations for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.The sessions are being conducted by state-level trainers appointed by the commission at Saranathan College of Engineering in Trichy. District collector and district election officer V Saravanan inaugurated the programme. Participants include 37 returning officers, 74 assistant returning officers and 48 district-level election trainers from Trichy, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. The training covers key aspects of election management, including scrutiny of nomination papers, identification of critical polling stations, preparation of district election management plans and polling day arrangements. Officials are also being trained in the handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, media certification and monitoring, social media oversight, expenditure monitoring, postal ballots, electoral roll management, voter awareness initiatives, counting procedures and declaration of results. District revenue officer and additional district election officer R Balaji was present.