Polls for Aravakkurichi and Thanjavur and bypolls for Thirupparankundram in Tamil Nadu and Nellithope seat in neighbouring Puducherry saw an impressive turnout in a peaceful atmosphere amid tight security, with voting percentage crossing 80 per cent in two of the Assembly segments.

While Aravakkurichi in Karur District registered the highest of 81.92 per cent in Tamil Nadu, Nellithope in Puducherry witnessed 85.76 percentage polling.

Thanjavur, the hub of the Cauvery basin in Tamil Nadu which saw a series of protests over the river water issue with Karnataka since October, witnessed 69.02 per cent voting.

Thirupparankundram in Madurai District, where a bypoll was necessitated due to the passing away of AIADMK MLA (2016 May polls) S M Seenivel polled 70.19 per cent votes according to the Election Commission.

Though various parties, including BJP, PMK and DMDK were in the fray, the main fight was between the ruling AIADMK and main Opposition DMK.

Taking the campaign seriously, though it was only for three Assembly segments - the outcome of which will not impact the ruling regime - both Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi had issued statements, appealing to people to vote for their respective nominees.

They cited their health condition to tell voters that they could not visit them personally.

DMK’s treasurer and Leader of Opposition M K Stalin and State Finance Minister and AIADMK treasurer O Panneerselvam took the lead in the campaign drive for their respective parties.

Aravakkurichi has a total electorate of 2,00,347, Thanjavur 2,68,516, while in Thiruparankundram the total number of voters are 2,85,980.

Aravakkurichi has 245 polling stations, while Thanjavur 276 and Thiruparankundram 291.

Over 5,000 personnel, including paramilitary forces,local police and Armed Reserve units were deployed for poll related duties and there were nearly 1,000 micro observers.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW