Chennai:

The Tamil Nadu election process is undergoing a major digital transformation, with the adoption of mobile technology reducing paper usage in elections by nearly 80 per cent, marking a shift towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable polling system.

Officials said the integration of mobile app-based election management systems has streamlined operations, improved efficiency and significantly reduced reliance on paper-based documentation across polling stations.

Paper usage drops sharply in Tamil Nadu polls

According to data from the Election Commission of India, the use of A4 sheets in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections has declined dramatically over the years.

From nearly 41 lakh sheets used in the 2011 and 2016 elections, consumption dropped to just 8.73 lakh sheets in 2021, driven largely by the adoption of digital election tools and real-time data reporting systems.

Mobile apps streamline polling and counting process

Election officials now rely on digital uploads for voter turnout, polling percentage and counting results, eliminating the need for extensive manual paperwork.

“Digital tools have minimised duplication of work and reduced delays. Tasks that earlier required multiple layers of paper-based reporting can now be completed instantly through mobile platforms,” an official said.

Traditionally, each polling station required 60–70 A4 sheets for documentation, including voter data and polling records. This has been significantly reduced with app-based election data management in Tamil Nadu.

Also Read| Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: Final candidate list stands at 4,023 after scrutiny

Fivefold reduction in election paper consumption

Authorities noted that around 22 types of stationery items are typically used during elections, including paper, pens and packing materials. However, the shift to digital election systems has resulted in a fivefold reduction in paper consumption since 2021.

Recent elections have further demonstrated the effectiveness of real-time election data transmission, minimising physical paperwork and manual consolidation.

Towards sustainable and green elections in India

The move is being seen as a key step towards green elections in India, aligning with broader sustainability goals and reducing the environmental footprint of large-scale democratic exercises.

However, environmental experts caution that challenges remain, particularly in managing election-related waste such as plastic and non-recyclable materials.

Activists have called for a comprehensive sustainable election framework, urging authorities to adopt biodegradable materials and strengthen waste management practices to make elections fully eco-friendly.

Digital innovation reshaping India’s election process

The Tamil Nadu digital election initiative highlights how technology can enhance efficiency, accuracy and sustainability in one of the world’s largest democratic processes.

With continued adoption of digital polling solutions and paperless election systems, officials believe India is moving steadily towards cleaner, faster and more transparent elections.

IANS