Inpatients, attendants seek absentee voting facility, urge ECI to allow ballots in medical emergencies in TN

Inpatients, attendants seek absentee voting facility, urge ECI to allow ballots in medical emergencies in TN

Patients and attendants at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) pointed out that the hospital currently has around 1,200 inpatients.

Representative ImageFile Photo

R Kirubakaran

Updated on:

25 Mar 2026, 10:46 am

COIMBATORE: Inpatients and their attendants at hospitals are demanding the introduction of absentee voting facilities, which will allow voters who cannot physically reach their designated polling booths on election day to cast their votes.

Patients and attendants at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) pointed out that the hospital currently has around 1,200 inpatients. With each patient accompanied by at least one attendant, the total number of potential voters at the hospital exceeds 2,500.

Similar situations exist across hundreds of government and private medical facilities in every district. They urged the Election Commission to consider options such as postal ballots or mobile voting booths for such cases. They requested that these provisions be introduced at least for future elections.

As an immediate measure, they suggested setting up temporary polling booths in a safe, accessible location near hospital premises (wherever possible) so that attendants and patients can vote without leaving the hospital vicinity.

"Postal voting is currently restricted to specific categories like armed forces personnel, government employees, senior citizens above 85 years, and persons with disabilities. There is no general absentee voting system in place. This makes it extremely difficult for many people admitted in hospitals," said M Shobana Devi, a PhD scholar from Pollachi.

"I am here to take care of my mother who has undergone cardiac surgery. My village is not very far, but I cannot leave her alone. If there was a provision for postal voting or hospital-based voting or nearby for people stuck in medical emergencies, it would help thousands like us," she added.

Similarly, M Shanmuganathan (42), a patient from Tiruppur district and an active political worker, also expressed disappointment. "I was actively involved in election campaigning until a week ago. Now, I am admitted here for treatment. I brought all necessary documents hoping to avail the postal ballot facility, but the hospital staff said no such option is given for patients. If my health permits, I am ready to go anywhere to vote.

However, setting up mobile polling booths at or near hospital premises would allow many patients and their attendants to cast their votes."

He said that while even smaller hospitals handle at least 100 inpatients, large multi-specialty and super-specialty hospitals often have over 1,000 patients at a time. Most inpatients are accompanied by family members who also stay with them on Election Day leaving their voting right underutilised.

The demand was also raised at the recent all-party meeting convened by the Election Commission at the Coimbatore Collectorate, where several political parties proposed voting facilities for inpatients and their attendants.

R Vellai Nataraj, a member of the Healthcare Beneficiaries Welfare Committee at the Government District Headquarters Hospital, Coimbatore, said that many countries have successfully implemented absentee voting systems. "In Coimbatore district alone, there are around 3,000 inpatients in government hospitals, and several thousand more in private hospitals. While we add their attendants huge number of voters is unable to cast their votes in every election. Practical challenges involved in it but the issue cannot be ignored," he said.

"During the Covid-19 pandemic, several states made special arrangements for patients to vote, but it was held at the common polling booths. Similarly, the Election Commission can set up secure mobile polling booths near hospitals in the future," he added.

When asked, a senior official from the Election Cell said "We have received this demand from many political parties. The election commission should take decision on it. Moreover offering voting provisions to the admitted patients is not easily implementable."

வரைவு வாக்காளர் பட்டியலில் உங்கள் பெயர் இருக்கிறதா? இணையதளம் மூலம் அறியலாம்! வரைவு வாக்காளர் பட்டியலில் உங்கள் பெயர் இருக்கிறதா என்பதை அறிந்துகொள்ள...

DINAMANI

வரைவு வாக்காளர் பட்டியலில் உங்கள் பெயர் இருக்கிறதா? இணையதளம் மூலம் அறியலாம்! வரைவு வாக்காளர் பட்டியலில் உங்கள் பெயர் இருக்கிறதா என்பதை அறிந்துகொள்ள...

ENS இணையதளச் செய்திப் பிரிவு Updated on: 20 டிசம்பர் 2025, 8:10 am 

 தமிழகத்தில் வாக்காளா் பட்டியல் சிறப்பு தீவிர திருத்த (எஸ்ஐஆா்) பணிக்குப் பிறகு 97 லட்சத்து 37 ஆயிரத்து 831 வாக்காளா்கள் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனா்.

எஸ்ஐஆருக்கு முன்னதாக 6,41,14,587 வாக்காளர்கள் இருந்த நிலையில் தற்போது 5,43,76,756 வாக்காளர்கள் உள்ளனர். சுமாா் 15 சதவீத வாக்காளா்கள் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். பேரவைத் தொகுதிகளைப் பொருத்தவரை சோழிங்கநல்லூா், பல்லாவரம், ஆலந்தூா் தொகுதிகளில் அதிக வாக்காளா்கள் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனா்.

தமிழகத்தில் அதிகபட்சமாக சென்னை மாவட்டத்தில் 14,25,018 வாக்காளா்களும், அடுத்ததாக கோவை மாவட்டத்தில் 6,50,590 வாக்காளா்களும் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனா். குறைந்தபட்சமாக அரியலூா் மாவட்டத்தில் 24,368 வாக்காளா்கள் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனா். மேலும் மாவட்டவாரியாகவும் நீக்கப்பட்டவர்கள் விவரங்களை தேர்தல் ஆணையம் வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

ஒவ்வொரு தொகுதியில் உள்ள வாக்குச்சாவடி அலுவலரிடமும் அந்தந்த தொகுதி பட்டியல் இருக்கும்.

எனினும் ஆன்லைன் மூலமாகவும் வரைவு வாக்காளர் பட்டியலில் உங்கள் பெயர் உள்ளதா என்பதை அறிய முடியும்.

https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/ என்ற இணையதளத்தில் உங்களுடைய வாக்காளர் அடையாள எண்ணை உள்ளிட்டு அறியலாம். உங்களுடைய தனிப்பட்ட விவரங்கள், மொபைல் எண் கொண்டும் தெரிந்துகொள்ளலாம்.

https://elections.tn.gov.in/index.aspx என்ற தமிழக தேர்தல் ஆணைய பக்கத்தில் காணலாம். 'சிறப்பு தீவிர திருத்தம் 2026'(Special Intensive Revision 2026) என்ற இணைப்பை அழுத்தினால் அதன்பின் வரும் திரையில் உங்களுடைய மாவட்டம், தொகுதியைத் தேர்வு செய்தால் நீக்கப்பட்டவர்களின் விவரங்கள் பட்டியலாக கிடைக்கிறது.

BLOs won’t come to houses again, you must submit forms at camps

BLOs won’t come to houses again, you must submit forms at camps

Omjasvin.MD@timesofindia.com 19 .11.2025

Chennai : As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of poll rolls enters its third week, and less than two weeks remain for its completion, the booth-level officers (BLOs) will not go door to door to distribute or collect the SIR forms any more. Instead, it is the voters who must go and submit their completed forms to the BLOs at the designated camps. On Tuesday, most of the 947 camps across 16 constituencies in Chennai saw a high voter turnout to submit forms. 

Senior citizens benefited from the drive as the BLOs helped them fill up the forms on the spot. Some voters with old photos struggled as they needed to leave and obtain the latest photos. The BLOs also assisted people in retrieving their 2005 numbers, and for those who didn’t have them, they were instructed to leave the section empty, with just the constituency name in pencil. Booth-level assistants (BLAs) of registered political parties, who are allowed to submit 50 forms, were also seen submitting filled forms. W S Ravi, a DMK member and BLA in Royapuram, said he was facilitating the submission of forms for senior citizens.

 “I have been helping people retrieve their 2005 SIR numbers, too. Many have left the sections empty. As much as possible, I am pulling out the numbers and completing the forms. Many forms haven’t been digitised yet,” he said. However, many residents were still clueless about the process. “What will senior citizens and differently abled persons do? We requested the BLO to come and collect the form, and she obliged. But will this be followed in all booths? It will only create confusion. 

They should have started this from the beginning or they should have just allowed BLOs to go door-to-door. Not many people are aware of what to do now,” V Sandhya of Anna Nagar said. Some BLOs welcomed the move. Yamuna, a BLO from Old Washermenpet, said she struggled to cover 1,500 houses without a vehicle. “We also used our own data pack for the GPS camera and uploading. The camps seem to work better,” she said. Of the 6,41,14,587 voters in Tamil Nadu, enumeration forms has been distributed to 95% of them, and 13% of them has been digitised

Loading Vijay 2.0: Nanban Or Pokkiri?

Loading Vijay 2.0: Nanban Or Pokkiri? 

Storyboard Arun RAM  13.10.2025

After 15 days of despair, today TVK leader Vijay must have woken up with hope. Supreme Court, hearing petitions in connection with the Karur stampede that killed 41 people on September 27, had made some observations on Friday that should be solace to Vijay and his party. 

And the verdict is expected today. The apex court had asked why a single

judge bench of Madras high court ordered an inquiry by a special investigation team when a division bench of the Madurai bench of the same high court had taken cognizance of the matter. It also wondered how the govt ensured that a postmortem was conducted on all the 41 bodies within five hours. Going by the recent history of our judicial process, however, courts have made strong observations against one party and given verdicts in favour of the other. So, Vijay would be hoping, with his fingers crossed.

 Whatever the court order, Vijay is at a crossroads. A favourable order by Supreme Court may up his stakes, yet he should make an important decision soon: Should TVK align with AIADMK. Since the launch of TVK, a group within has been pushing for this alliance. 

Their theory: The party should get power on its debut, or it may not be able to sustain itself. And AIADMK, on which Vijay has been soft while attacking DMK and BJP, is the only choice for an alliance. The hitch was who – Vijay or AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami – would be the chief minister candidate. Neither would agree to play the second fiddle, even if they had to share the tenure. 

With EPS opening his arms again to Vijay in the aftermath of the Karur tragedy, the proposition for an alliance is back on the TVK table. Seat-sharing and the CM post would continue to be stumbling blocks for a possible marriage of convenience, but what could make the decision more difficult for Vijay is AIADMK’s tieup with BJP – after all, they call it NDA. Opportunism is part and parcel of politics (if you don’t trust me, ask Kamal Haasan), but having sworn BJP as his 1 ideological enemy while launching TVK, joining NDA would mean Vijay being opportunistic too early into his political career. What if BJP, in its insuppressible urge to defeat DMK “at any cost”, makes a tactical exit from the AIADMK alliance to make space for TVK? 

The saffron party would gain nothing for itself from this arrangement other than getting vengeful self-gratification of making things difficult for DMK. Highly hypothetical this may sound, but in the event of such a reconfiguration of the opposition, Vijay will have one reason less not to join hands with AIADMK. But should Vijay yield to that temptation? Let me reproduce what I wrote in this column in November last year: Vijay, 50, has age by his side. 

Fighting the 2026 assembly election alone – or with some smaller players who are willing to rally behind him – will help him test his real strength. If TVK gets more than 10% votes, anyone would consider him as much a potential ally as a worthy opponent. Whether he wins a seat or not, he can invest the next five years in building political heft by attracting some political veterans and promising youngsters who can form a critical core of the party which now has no big name beyond himself. If Vijay is here for the long run, he shouldn’t be an also-ran. Would I change anything from that paragraph written almost a year ago? Well, just one thing: his age. -

arun.ram@timesofindia.com 13/10/2025, 06:25 Times of India ePaper chennai - Read Today’s English News Paper Online https://epaper.indiatimes.com/timesepaper/publication-the-times-of-india,city-chennai.cms 2/3 13/10/2025, 06:25 Times of India ePaper chennai - Read T

99% charge in EVM battery doesn’t impact counting: EC

99% charge in EVM battery doesn’t impact counting: EC

Nisha.Nambiar@timesofindia.com 25.11.2024 

Pune : Election commission (EC) has dismissed opposition’s claims in Maharashtra about EVM battery levels impacting counting of votes polled in assembly elections. They said EVM battery charge remaining at 99% — one of the charges levelled by opposition after results were declared on Saturday — had no bearing on the counting process. Senior EC officials told TOI that battery percentage displays are for technical monitoring and cannot influence vote recording or counting accuracy: 

“Battery voltage and capacity have no connection to counting operations or EVM integrity.” Actor Swara Bhaskar on Saturday had alleged EVM manipulation, following her husband Fahad Ahmed’s electoral loss, claiming that battery levels of EVMs remained at 99% the entire day. She was among many from opposition who raised issues with EVMs. EC said such allegations lack technical basis and that EVMs use alkaline batteries providing a stable power source for the machines to work even in remote areas without electricity

EC fixes poll rate card, chicken biriyani down to Rs 150 from Rs 180

EC fixes poll rate card, chicken biriyani down to Rs 150 from Rs 180

The expenditure limit for parliamentary constituencies has been increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 95 lakh between the 2019 and 2024 elections

Election Commission of India in New Delhi. (Photo |Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

B Anbuselvan

Updated on:

23 Mar 2024, 7:41 am

CHENNAI: With the DMK, AIADMK, BJP gearing up for campaign, a recent ECI notification comprising a revised price list of over 200 items used for trail, will be of help to the candidates to ensure they do not exceed the spending limit, at least in their official expenditure submissions.

The expenditure limit for parliamentary constituencies has been increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 95 lakh between the 2019 and 2024 elections. As a result, the EC has marginally increased the prices of items and services utilised by political parties. The district election officer will evaluate the expenses incurred by candidates using the price list.

According to a recent order issued by Chennai district election officer J Radhakrishnan, the price of tea has been raised from Rs 10 to Rs 15 and coffee from Rs 15 to Rs 20, while the rate of chicken biriyani has been reduced from Rs 180 to Rs 150 per packet compared to 2019. The price of mutton biryani remains Rs 200 per packet. The prices of t-shirts and sarees have also not been increased.

The list comprises items, including food provided to those participating in campaign-related activities, vehicles, and other furniture hired for campaign offices and meetings, expenses for stage decoration, worker wages, electronic devices, and items such as banners, posters, chairs, and flags. Expenses for welcoming political leaders, including crackers, posters, garlands, and cultural dances, will also be included in the candidate’s expenses.

Official sources said the campaign rates are determined according to the recommendations of the Public Works Department for each district. “The PWD issues a price list based on wholesale price index, inflation rate, and other economic indicators provided by the finance department. Prices for certain items may vary across districts based on PWD rates,” said an official.

A booth committee representative of the AIADMK in Chennai said, “It is practically not possible to monitor every expense. However, EC officials insist on proper accounting for chairs, tables, fans, and other items during campaign meetings. The prices quoted by the EC were too high for some items.”

The cost of campaign meetings involving star campaigners is likely to increase, as the EC has set a higher rate for electrical equipment. According to the order, Rs 31,305 has been fixed per day for supplying 4.5-tonne floor-mounting air conditioners for the stage. Similarly, higher charges have been set for the use of sports utility vehicles during the campaign.

An official said expenditure observers have been appointed for each constituency, and campaign activities by candidates and their party members will be videographed.

EC uploads electoral bonds data shared by SBI on its website

EC uploads electoral bonds data shared by SBI on its website

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Mar 14, 2024, 08.14 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Thursday uploaded electoral bonds data as shared by the State Bank of India, on its website.

The State Bank of India (SBI) had submitted a compliance affidavit to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, confirming that it has provided the Election Commission of India (EC) with comprehensive details regarding the electoral bonds scheme.

SBI had furnished information including the date of purchase, the names of the purchasers, and the denominations of the electoral bonds.

Electoral bonds have been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny, as they are used by individuals and corporations to anonymously donate money to political parties.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed SBI to share detailed information with the Election Commission to ensure transparency and accountability in political funding. In addition to the details of the purchasers, SBI has also provided the EC with information regarding the date of encashment of the electoral bonds and the names of the political parties that received the donations.

This move is aimed at enhancing the transparency of political contributions and ensuring that the funds are traceable and accounted for.

100 percent of first-generation voters, college students, to vote: Governor's advice to vice chancellors

100 percent of first-generation voters, college students, to vote: Governor's advice to vice chancellors

All universities to devise strategies to achieve 100 percent voter turnout among first-time voters. Governor of Tamil Nadu and Chancellor of State Universities RN Ravi discussed with the Vice Chancellors at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.

CHENNAI: Governor RN Ravi has urged college students who are first generation voters to vote 100 percent in the elections in the university vice-chancellors' advisory meeting.

In this regard, the press release issued by the Governor's House said: Tamil Nadu Governor and Chancellor of Universities RN Ravi held a consultation with all the Vice Chancellors of the Universities at the Governor's House on the 11th. At that time, he urged college students who are the first generation voters to vote 100 percent in the elections.

Considering this effort to get 100 per cent first generation voters to vote as a movement, the Vice Chancellors assured that due attention will be given to sensitize the students about voting and ensure that all of them have voter ID cards.

For this, NCC and NSS students' help was sought and development of a new app to issue voter card to students was discussed in the meeting. The meeting also discussed plans to commend colleges and departments for 100 percent student voting.

Vice-Chancellors who take steps towards 100 percent polling will be felicitated at the Governor's House. It was also advised that awareness campaigns and rallies should be conducted in universities to convey to the students about the importance of voting. The use of social networking sites and entertaining videos can greatly enhance this awareness work. It says so.

POLLING

ELECTION

ELECTION

 

ELECTION

 

THUMBING WIN FOR DMK

 

LOCALBODY ELECTION CHENNAI

 

CONJOINED TWINS VOTE SEPARATELY GIVEN DARK GLASSES FOR SECRECY

 

AMID PANDEMIC VOTERS EAGER TO EXERCISE FRANCHISE

 

LOCAL BODY ELECTION 2022

 

MOST COVID19 PATIENTS REFUSE TO VOTE

 

ELECTION

 

Civic polls in 9 TN dists on Oct 6 and 9

Civic polls in 9 TN dists on Oct 6 and 9

14.09.2021

Local body elections in nine newly-created districts of Tamil Nadu would be held in two phases on October 6 and 9, state election commissioner V Palanikumar said Monday. Elections will be held in 39 unions on October 6, while the remaining 35 will go to polls on October 9. Palanikumar said the code of conduct would come into immediate effect in the districts of Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi where the polls would be held. In 28 other districts, elections would be held on October 9 for 789 posts in the local bodies, which are lying vacant, said the state election commissioner. Filing of nominations will begin on September 15 and continue until September 22. Counting will be held on October 12. TNN

Over 76.5L voters to exercise franchise in two-phase polls

The elections would be held for 27,003 posts, including those of 140 district panchayat ward councillors, 2,901 village panchayat presidents and 22,581 village panchayat ward councillors, the commissioner said.

A total of 76,59,720 voters would exercise their franchise in the two-phase polls. Each voter would cast four votes to elect the district panchayat ward councillors, panchayat union councillors, village panchayat president and village panchayat ward councillors. Ballot paper would be used, the officer said.

Polling will take place from 7am to 6pm. Covid-19 patients and persons with symptoms would be allowed to vote from 5pm to 6pm. “We will appoint a micro observer and videograph the proceedings in sensitive booths,” said the commissioner. He noted that 40,000 police personnel would also be roped in for election duty.

As many as 1.10 lakh government employees would be engaged for poll duty. The commission would engage an IAS officer as an election observer for each district.

“We have taken all precautionary measures to conduct the polls in a free and fair manner. The arrangements have been made after holding a meeting with representatives of political parties,” said Palanikumar. The polls would be held as per the standard operating procedure and in compliance with Covid-19 norms, he added.

The Election Commission has commenced preparatory work to hold elections for urban local bodies too.