659422 voters to decide fate of 218 candidates in polls

Pondicherry, Apr 25 (UNI) A total of 659422 electorates will determine the fate of 218 candidates in the May three and eight assembly elections to the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Talking to newspersons here today, Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) Kumarasamy said there are 339579 female voters and 319843 male voters in this territory.

He said out of 218 candidates left in the fray, 158 for 21 constituencies in Pondicherry region, 41 for six in Karaikal region, eight for Mahe and Palloor constituencies and eleven for Yanam.

Mr Kumarasamy said Mahe, Palloor and Yanam constituencies goes to polls in the first phase on May three, while 21 constituencies in Pondicherry and six in Karaikal, would go to polls on May eight in the second phase.

He said 76 independent candidates are in the fray, compared to 62 of the national parties, 32 of the recognised political parties and 48 of the registered unrecognised parties.

Ozhukarai constiteuncy is having the maximum number of 11 candidates, while Mahe, Palloor and Nettapakkam, have the minimum of four candidates each, he added.

He said as many as 11 women candidates are contesting the elections , out of which ten are in Pondicherry region.

Two women candidates are contesting in Orleanpet and Villianur constituencies, he added.

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