10-Jul-2024 10:33 AM
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Chennai, July 10 (Reporter) About 13 per cent of the total 2,37,031 voters have
cast their ballots in the first two hours of polling in the high stakes Assembly
bye-election to the Vikravandi seat in Tamil Nadu, which began on Wednesday
morning, amid tight security.
Election Commission officials said 12.94 per cent polling was recorded till
9.00 a.m and the polling process, which started at 7.00 a.m was proceeding
smoothly.
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.
Meanwhile, reports received here said about 20 per cent polling in some of the
booths where the voter turnout was brisk.
Except for some minor glitches in EVMS that led to delay in the polling process
in three booths, voting was progressing smoothly without any hitch.
All the three candidates of the main parties, the DMK, PMK and the NTK have
cast their ballots.
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...////...