Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 27 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar visited the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial located in Peikarumbu in Rameswaram and paid his respects to the former President.

Speaking to the media, CEC Kumar recalled 'meditational conversations' with former President Dr Kalam.

'It was a pleasure for me to visit the National Memorial dedicated to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. I had the privilege of working with him and be a participant of the meditational conversations that he used to have. I am privileged and honoured to be here,' Gyanesh Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the CEC Gyanesh Kumar has urged all eligible citizens of India to register as electors and participate in the electoral process. He emphasised that voting is the first step towards national service.

'The first step towards national service is voting. All citizens of India who have completed 18 years of age should become electors and should always vote. The Election Commission of India will always stand with the voters,' CEC Kumar told reporters.

He added, 'I had come to Madurai and reviewed the electoral process. The Chief Electoral Officer was also there, and the District Election Officers and senior police officers were also there. They are doing good work, and I wish all the electors of Madurai all the best.'

The newly appointed CEC Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge on February 19 and, in his message to the voters, said that the first step for nation-building was voting.

Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. The other Commissioners on the panel are Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Tamil Nadu is headed for its next Assembly elections, expected to be held in April-May 2026. These elections will send 234 members to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. (ANI)