Ahead of civic polls, Corpn appoints returning officers
CHENNAI: With the Madras High Court prodding the government to conduct local body elections in the State, the Greater Chennai Corporation has appointed 37 assistant returning officers for 15 zones to conduct the election in the city, while the Chennai Corporation Commissioner would act as returning officer for the entire city, according to a civic body official.
“Officials in the ranks of assistant revenue officers and assistant engineers have been appointed as assistant returning officers. Apart from zonal level returning officials, returning officers have also been appointed for the 200 divisions,” the official said.
The Chennai Corporation has been functioning without the elected council for the past three years, as the State government delayed conducting the local body elections. Corporation Commissioner has been appointed as special officer to run the administration.
Meanwhile, the civic body had recently released the voters’ list for local body election. There are 57,97,652 voters in the 200 wards of the Chennai Corporation. With only 2,921 voters, ward number 159 in Alandur zone has the lowest number of voters, while ward number 137 in Kodambakkam zone has the highest number of voters – 54,801.
Besides appointing returning officers and releasing voters list, the civic body has also identified a total of 5,714 polling booths. Among the identified 5,714 polling booths, 78 booths are earmarked for men and 78 for women voters.
Chennai Corporation has been functioning without the elected council for the past three years, as the State govt has delayed conducting the local body elections
Voters are directed to verify their names in the electoral list by visiting the Chennai Corporation offices or visiting www.tnsec.tn.nic.in website. They can also apply for making corrections in their voters’ identity card.
“The appointment of returning officers and other works based on several orders issued by the State Election Commission. Officials who are working in the same position for more than three years would also be transferred,” the official added.