Training for returning officers held in Coimbatore

A two-day zonal-level training programme for Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers in view of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly General Elections 2026 began at PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore on Tuesday.
The programme was inaugurated by District Collector and District Election Officer Pawan Kumar G. Giriyappanavar.
The training is being conducted for officials from four districts — Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur and the Nilgiris — as directed by the Election Commission of India to ensure proper conduct of the upcoming Assembly elections.
A total of 111 officials, including Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers and district-level trainers from 29 Assembly constituencies, are participating in the training. These include 10 constituencies from Coimbatore district, three from the Nilgiris, eight from Tiruppur and eight from Erode.
The training sessions, held from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., are conducted by State Level Master Trainers at the level of District Revenue Officer and Deputy Collector.
Officials are being trained on various election procedures including the model code of conduct, issue of election notifications, receipt and scrutiny of nomination papers, withdrawal of nominations, symbol allocation, election planning and monitoring.
The programme also covers the functioning of flying squads and static surveillance teams, the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation programme, voter awareness campaigns, voting from home for senior citizens above 85 years and differently-abled persons, postal ballots for service personnel, handling of C-Vigil complaints, revision of electoral rolls and the operation of EVM and VVPAT machines.
District Revenue Officer P. Narayanan, Personal Assistants to the Collector Niraimathi (General) and Maheshwari (Elections), District Election Officer Thanigaivel and officials from the participating districts attended the event.