{
  "id": 18522457,
  "title": "Number of polling stations in Keralam increases by 216",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/number-of-polling-stations-in-keralam-increases-by-216",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T15:53:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/number-of-polling-stations-in-keralam-increases-by-216/article71674743.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, D. Sajith Babu, announced on Friday that the number of polling stations in the state has risen by 216, reaching a total of 30,682. This increase was approved by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as part of a rationalization exercise.\n\nPreviously, Kerala had 30,471 polling stations, which remained unchanged from the 2026 Assembly elections. The 216 new stations include five that were previously in Ernakulam district, while 178 polling station buildings have been modified.\n\nKerala's Malappuram district maintains the highest number of polling stations at 3,773, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (unchanged at 3,173) and Ernakulam (3,154). Wayanad has the lowest number of polling stations, sitting at 717.\n\nThe rationale behind the rationalization process considered various factors, such as the number of voters per station, availability of amenities, accessibility, and geographical peculiarities. The CEO explained that the new stations have been established, and some existing ones have undergone changes in accordance with the ECI's criteria and the maximum voter capacity per polling station.",
  "summary": "The total number has now gone up to 30,682, says Chief Electoral Officer D. Sajith Babu",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala's polling stations increased by 216, totaling 30,682.",
    "5 new stations replaced those in Ernakulam district.",
    "Malappuram district has the most polling stations at 3,773."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}