COIMBATORE: An inter-state coordination meeting was held in Coimbatore on Wednesday to discuss preparatory measures for the 2026 assembly elections, with a focus on preventing duplicate voter registration in border villages of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.The meeting was chaired by Coimbatore district collector and district election officer Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar. Collectors and police chiefs of Ernakulam, Idukki, Palakkad and Thrissur districts in Kerala took part in the discussions. Senior police and election officers from both states also attended the meeting, with some joining through videoconference.Officials discussed forming special teams to identify voters in border revenue villages who may have enrolled in electoral rolls in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The teams will carry out verification drives, and copies of voter lists will be shared to ensure coordination between the two states. The officials reviewed law and order preparedness in constituencies along the Kerala border. Details of seizures made and FIRs registered over the past six months in assembly and parliamentary constituencies bordering Kerala were examined, along with the status of cases.Measures to prevent the illegal movement of cash, precious metals, narcotic substances, liquor, freebies, weapons and other materials were also discussed. It was decided to strengthen inter-state border check-posts and forest check-posts by forming special squads, installing CCTV cameras and deploying additional police personnel. The meeting deliberated on forming joint teams to monitor sensitive and vulnerable polling stations where clashes are anticipated.Officials said the coordination between the two states would help ensure free and fair elections in the border districts.
