Chennai, July 10 (Reporter) Brisk turnout was reported, as an estimated 64.44 per cent of the total 2,37,031 voters have cast their ballots in the first eight hours of polling in the high stakes Assembly bye-election to the Vikravandi seat in Tamil Nadu, which began on Wednesday morning and proceeding smoothly, amid tight security. Election Commission officials said 64.44 per cent polling was recorded till 3.00 p.m and the polling process, which started at 7.00 a.m was proceeding smoothly and peacefully. A total of 29 candidates, including those of the ruling DMK, the PMK and the NTK, are in the fray for the bye-elections. The bypoll is witnessing a three cornered contest between the ruling DMK-led Front, the BJP-led alliance and the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) as the main Opposition AIADMK and its ally, the DMDK, have decided to boycott the polls alleging it will not be held in a free and fair manner as the ruling DMK will use its muscle and money power to win the polls. The main contest is between Anniyur Siva of DMK and BJP's ally PMK candidate C.Anbumani. NTK's Dr P.Anuradha is the other main candidate in the fray, while the rest were Independents. It will be a no-holds barred straight contest between the ruling DMK and the PMK, though NTK was also in fray. The bypoll to the Vikravandi seat in Villupuram district, a DMK stronghold, was necessitated following the death of sitting DMK MLA N.Pughazhendi, who is also a senior party functionary in the district...////...