Low voter turnout and a minor incident

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, OCT. 20. Low turnout and a minor incident marked repolling for the local bodies elections in Chennai and Alandur today.

There was a lukewarm response from the electorate with security personnel outnumbering voters in polling stations.

On an average, the percentage of voting was in the range of 25 to 35. No violence was reported.

In Alandur, a BJP candidate complained of intimidation and kidnapping of her party volunteers by supporters of one of her rival candidates.

In Chennai Corporation's division numbers 100 (Choolai) and 133 (Saidapet), repolling was held in six polling stations.

The average percentage of polling in both the areas was around 25, according to a press release from the Chennai Corporation.

Women voters turned out in very low numbers. At Saidapet, the number of women voters was just 71 out of total 757.

A couple of incidents of confusion were noticed when some voters turned up without any identity document.

Even those carrying photocopies of driving licence were not allowed to enter the booths to cast their votes.

Security arrangements were elaborate. Police even blockaded the roads leading to the polling station in Mettupalayam, and entry of vehicles was barred.

The polling was by and large peaceful in Alandur where repolling was ordered in 19 booths.

However, Ms. S. Vasanthi, BJP candidate of ward 21, complained to the police that a mob of 100 persons chased her from the booth at the Modern School up to her house and forcibly took eight BJP volunteers with them, threatening her with dire consequences if she ventured near the booth. A compliant has been lodged with the Pazhavanthangal Police.

BJP activists alleged that the mob was led by Mr. Venkat, the son of a former AIADMK minister.

The Chengai East SP, Mr. Pon Manickavel, visited the candidate's house and provided protection for her to visit the polling centre.

Official sources indicated that about 8,300 persons exercised their franchise in the town today. The polling percentage was pegged at 38.4.

Unlike October 18, there was visible police protection in all the booths today, though at a few places arguments erupted between agents, whenever attempts were made to bring in impersonators.

Opposition parties, complained that the police preferred to look the other way in case of complaints of impersonation and left it to agents to battle it out.

The Chengai East police said six persons were arrested for canvassing before the booths. Two vehicles were also seized.

Counting of votes will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the Chennai Corporation High School in Tondiarpet, the Bharati Arts College in Prakasam Salai, the Chengalvaraya Naicker Polytechnic in Vepery, the ICF Higher Secondary School, the Pachaiyappa's College, the Queen Mary's College, the Loyola College, the SIET College, the Central Polytechnic and theGuindy Engineering College.

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Section  : Southern States
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