Kochi (Kerala), March 5 CEC Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Kochi on Thursday, where he previously served as District Collector, as part of a three-day visit to review preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.
After arriving at the Kochi airport, Kumar addressed reporters in Malayalam.
"We are returning to Kochi after a gap of 22 years. I will be here for the next two days," he said.
After visiting the Darbar Hall in the evening, Kumar expressed his happiness at returning to Kochi.
"First of all, through you, let me tell my people of Ernakulam, that your collector has come back after 22 years. I was here from 2001 to 2004. Many old memories, many old projects," Kumar told
"With the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman, I think we should be able to conduct one of the most transparent, free, and fair elections in Kerala," he added.
According to the schedule, Kumar will visit various parts of Kochi city on Thursday evening and later hold a meeting at a hotel until late at night.
He will interact with young voters and participate in a voter awareness campaign at the Goshree Bolgatty Bridge on Friday morning.
Later, he will visit the Marine Drive walkway, Rainbow Bridge, and Children's Park before attending meetings at the hotel until evening.
He will then visit the Musical Walkway and Cheenavala Bridge at night.
On Saturday morning, he will visit Cherai Beach before attending further meetings in Kochi.
Kumar served as the Collector of the Ernakulam district from June 2001 to July 2004, during which several development projects, including the Goshree bridge and the renovation of Marine Drive, were carried out.
A 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, he worked in various capacities in the state before moving to the Centre and was elevated to the Chief Election Commissioner of India last year.
