Thiruvananthapuram, 03 May (H.S.):Vote counting for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections will begin at 8 am on May 4 under extensive security arrangements, with over 32,000 police personnel deployed across the state, Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar said on Sunday.

According to Kelkar, 32,301 trained police personnel have been stationed at counting centres to ensure law and order during the process. Counting will first take up postal ballots, followed by votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Arrangements have been made at 140 counting halls spread across 43 locations.

A total of 15,465 officials will be engaged in the counting exercise, including 140 Returning Officers, 1,340 Additional Assistant Returning Officers, 4,208 micro observers, 4,208 counting supervisors and 5,563 counting assistants. Each round of counting will cover votes from a maximum of 14 polling stations.

Meanwhile, the state has recorded a tentative voter turnout of 79.70% after factoring in service voters. A total of 53,984 postal ballots were issued to service voters, of which 20,028 had been received as of May 1. The number is expected to rise further, as service voters can submit their ballots until counting begins. They account for 0.07% of the total electorate.

Kelkar said the final turnout figure will be confirmed only after the Election Commission of India releases the Index Card, a detailed report compiled using data submitted by Returning Officers and verified at the CEO’s office.

The results will be made available through the ECINET mobile application and the official website of the Election Commission.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman