T.N. Assembly election 2026: Model code of conduct comes into force in Virudhunagar

With Election Commission of India announcing Tamil Nadu Assembly election notification on Sunday (March 15, 2026), Virudhunagar District Election Officer and District Collector N.O. Sukhaputra said that the model code of conduct has come into immediate effect.

The Collector flagged off the vehicles to be used by Flying Squad Teams (FSTs), Static Sureveillance Teams (SSTs) and Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs) in the presence of Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police D. Kannan, District Revenue Officer R. Ananthi, Sub-Collector, Sivakasi, Mohammed Irfan.

These teams would also prevent election rules violations and carrying of cash of more than ₹50,000. The Collector advised the people to avoid carrying cash more than ₹50,000 without any documents.

Each of the seven Assembly constituencies in Virudhunagar district would have nine FSTs and nine SSTs to work round the clock. Each of the FST and SST would have seven persons, including armed policemen.

Each Assembly constituency would have one VST. The videofootages recorded by the VSTs would be sent to the Video Viewing Teams. People can lodge complaints over election rules violations to the district control room over toll-free number of 1950.

The process of removing all Government publicity materials, including posters and banners and photographs of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, from all Government offices, including the Collectorate began on Sunday evening.

The Collector convened a meeting of Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, Commissioners of Sivaksi Corporation, all municipalities, Block Development Officers, Executive Officers of Town Panchayats.

He told them to remove all the posters and grafitti of all political parties would be removed from Government buildings should be removed within 24 hours at the expenses of the parties concerned.

Those materials in bus stands, railway stations, bridges and electric poles would be removed by the next 48 hours.

However, those materials including party flags from private premises should be removed by 72 hours.

The Collector said that the portraits of the political leaders in the conference halls of all Government offices should be removed or covered. Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers should monitor those activities and ensure their removal, he added.