CHENNAI: Local body elections in the State will be conducted in two phases. While polling will be held on October 13 and October 15, counting will begin on October 18.

Announcing this to newsmen here on Tuesday, State Election Commissioner D. Chandrasekaran said filing of nominations would begin on September 20 and the last date for filing the papers would be September 27. Nominations would be scrutinised on September 28 and the last date for withdrawal of papers would be September 30. The Model Code of Conduct would be in force from September 20 to October 28.

The State Election Commissioner said that while Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli Corporations would go to polls on October 13, the remaining two corporations — Madurai and Tiruchi — would elect their representatives on October 15.

Fortyfive municipalities, 23 third grade municipalities, 281 town panchayats and 195 panchayat unions in the first phase and 57 municipalities, 27 third grade municipalities, 280 town panchayats and 190 panchayat unions in the second phase would be covered.

Mr. Chandrasekaran said elections would be held for 1,17,302 rural local bodies and 13,660 urban bodies for 1,30,962 posts.

While elections to the posts of ward members of corporations, municipalities, third grade municipalities, panchayat unions and town panchyats would be on party basis, it would be on non-party basis for village panchayat presidents and ward member posts.

He said of the 80,458 polling booths in the State, 55,484 booths would be in rural areas. Counting of votes would be held in 866 centres. About 4, 64,19,395 voters would exercise their franchise.

The State Election Commissioner said about 2.42 lakh ballot boxes would be used. and ballot papers would be given to voters for exercising their franchise. A senior IAS officer would be appointed for each district as election observer.

District Collectors had been asked to identify sensitive polling stations for posting additional police forces.

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