Thiruvananthapuram, 05 March (H.S):Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will arrive in Kerala today on a three-day visit to review the state’s preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections. The visit comes amid growing speculation that the polls could be held towards the end of April, with Kerala among five states expected to go to the Assembly elections this year.

According to officials, the Chief Election Commissioner will assess the overall readiness of the election machinery in the state, including logistical arrangements, administrative preparedness and the progress of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The review is part of the Election Commission’s routine exercise ahead of major elections to ensure that all procedural and technical requirements are in place.

Gyanesh Kumar is scheduled to reach Kochi at around 5.30 pm on Thursday. While the first day will largely be reserved for travel and preliminary briefings, the main official engagements are planned for Friday and Saturday.

During his visit, the Chief Election Commissioner will hold meetings with representatives of various political parties in the state to hear their concerns and suggestions regarding the conduct of the polls. These interactions are considered an important step in ensuring transparency and addressing any grievances related to the electoral process.

In addition to consultations with political parties, Kumar will also review election preparedness with senior officials of the state administration. Meetings are expected to include discussions with the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police and other top officials responsible for maintaining law and order and overseeing election logistics.

Officials said the review will cover critical aspects such as security arrangements, polling station infrastructure, deployment of personnel and measures to ensure free and fair elections. The progress of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the voters’ list will also be examined in detail.

The visit will conclude with a press conference by the Chief Election Commissioner on Saturday, where he is expected to outline the Election Commission’s assessment of Kerala’s readiness for the polls.

Kerala is among the five states preparing for Assembly elections in the coming months, and political activity has already intensified across the state as parties begin early preparations for the electoral contest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman