Over 73 pc polling recorded in 2nd phase of rural body elections
Villupuram, Kallakurichi top the chart; Appavu, Vaiko among prominent voters
The second phase of polling to rural local bodies on Saturday was brisk, and by and large peaceful. As per the latest official report, the poll percentage stood at 73.27 per cent mark. The figure could rise marginally, a government official on poll duty told DT Next.
According to Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC) sources, Villupuram and Kallakurichi recorded highest polling percentage with 83.6 and 82 per cent. Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur recorded between 68 to 75 per cent, while Tirunelveli, one of the districts with the highest literacy rate, recorded low polling of 65 per cent.
There were minor incidents of tension due to scuffle between DMK, AIADMK and AMMK functionaries. Like the first phase poll, pandemic protocol was not followed at several polling booths, with the crowd overflowing. Many voters complained of lack of adequate polling stations and long waiting hours. Around 34 lakh voters were eligible for voting in the second phase.
“District election offices are ready for counting of votes on October 12. Counting will be manual, and will take time unlike EVMs,” another official said.
The principal opposition AIADMK lodged petitions at TNSEC headquarters alleging largescale poll violations by the DMK candidates and the local presiding officers.
In a statement, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran condemned DMK cadre for allegedly unleashing violence against his party’s candidates and workers. Noting the assault on AMMK ward 9 candidate P Mahalingam and 11 others, including women cadre, allegedly by the DMK, he urged the police and State Election Commission to take action against the offenders.
After casting his franchise early in the day, Assembly Speaker M Appavu said it was a happy moment to vote in the panchayat elections, as local bodies are crucial for the civic development of the society. MDMK leader Vaiko was another early bird to the polling station and urged the voters to exercise their democratic rights.
MADURAI/VELLORE: The second phase of rural local body polls were conducted peacefully in parts of Tirunelveli and its neighbouring Tenkasi district on Saturday. Amidst tight security, polling commenced at 7 am.
While four panchayat unions including Kalakadu, Nanguneri, Radhapuram and Vallioor went to polls in Tirunelveli district, polls were held in five panchayat unions including Kadayanallur, Kuruvikulam, Sankarankoil, Sengottai and Tenkasi in Tenkasi district. After casting his ballot at Periyanayagipuram village in Vallioor union, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu said people got this opportunity to elect representatives of their choice after a long gap of ten years.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian efforts of PEW Sub Inspector of Police Syed Nisar caught the attention of many as he carried an elderly woman, who approached a booth at Sankarapuram village in Vallioor union, on his shoulder to help her access the booth. A video clip of the cop’s helping tendency and photo images went viral on social media and it’s trending.
Earlier, several voters from nine panchayat wards of Chidambarapuram in Vallioor union were reluctant to cast their ballots as the delimitation exercise forced them to be part of Palavoor and Avaraikulam panchayats-which are far off. However, the electoral authorities convinced them, sources said.
Only 19 votes of the total 3440 votes were polled at the Naikaneri tribal hamlet in Madanur panchayat union in Tirupattur district when the second phase of polling for rural local body polls were held on Saturday. Though Collector Amar Kuswaha visited the area and encouraged residents to vote, locals who opposed the village panchayat being reserved for the SC (women) category refused to budge.
Of the 6 polling booths in the panchayat, 5 booths did not get even a single vote while the booth at Kamanurthattu the native hamlet of P Indumathi who was ‘elected’ as panchayat president for the area received her vote and that of 18 relatives of hers, sources said. As residents were totally against her presidentship, Indumathi was escorted by armed police to cast her vote.
Polling was peaceful in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts with the polling figures at 3 pm being 54.50% (Vellore), 67.90% (Tiruvannamalai), 63.81% (Ranipet) and 54.33% (Tirupatthur). While a large crowd of gypsies (narikuravas) turned up to exercise their franchise at Thaingai polur in Arakkonam panchayat union, sources said that polling was sluggish due to the scorching heat.
But at Pappanapalli panchayat in Madanur PU, a sudden downpour resulted in poll equipment being drenched due to a leaking roof. Polling was halted for ten minutes while a thick plastic sheet was spread over the roof tiles to prevent water entering the polling booth.