Kerala aims for over 85% voter turnout in upcoming assembly polls: CEO Kelkar

Story by PTI | Posted by Vidushi Gaur | Date 13-03-2026

Ratan U. Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram

Ratan U. Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, on Friday said the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be carefully planned and executed to achieve a record voter turnout of over 85 per cent and ensure a smooth voting process.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a one-day training session for District Election Officers (DEOs), Kelkar said the primary objective of the Election Commission of India this year is to surpass the historical turnout record of 80.5 per cent achieved during the 1987 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.

To exceed that benchmark, polling stations will be made more welcoming to turn the “festival of democracy” into a meaningful experience for voters, he said.

The CEO noted that the Commission has set a target of 85 per cent voter turnout, adding, “We intend to surpass that.”

Kelkar said the strategy includes setting up model polling booths with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and environmental sustainability. These booths will operate without air or noise pollution, be wheelchair-friendly and provide refreshment facilities for voters.

He also said the process of updating the electoral roll is nearing completion, with more than 15 lakh applications received following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

According to Kelkar, the Model Code of Conduct will come into force immediately after the official announcement of the election schedule.

Following the announcement, the Election Commission will hold a meeting with representatives of all political parties to ensure compliance with the code and smooth conduct of the polls.

Kelkar said the broader goal is to showcase Kerala’s ability to conduct a “gold-standard, inclusive and efficient” electoral exercise.

The one-day training session focused on preparing DEOs to implement procedures effectively across districts, with support from nodal officers of various government departments coordinating work across nine thematic areas.