Arrangements for polling in Mahe,Palloor,Yanam completed:CEO

Pondicherry, May 2 (UNI) All arrangements for the first phase of polling in Mahe, Palloor and Yanam constituencies in the Union Territory of Pondicherry were complete and polling staffs deployed, Chief Electoral Officer Mr Kumarasamy said here today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said 45,708-strong electorates in the three constituencies would decide the fate of 19 candidates in the first phase of polling tomorrow.

As many as 29 booths have been set up in Mahe and Palloor and 21 in Yanam. Nearly 620 security personnel, including Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) have been deployed. Only CPMF personnel would be deployed near the booths and one would observe the poll proceedings from outside the booth. The local police and personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion would be utilised to regulate the queue and maintain law and order, he added.

Additional Senior Superintendent of Police B Srikanth, who was present denied reports appearing in a section of the press that stones were pelted on Mr Anandaraman, the PMK candidate constesting from Ariyankuppam constituency.

He said entry points to Mahe region from Kozhikode and Kannur were being sealed from tonight with the help of Kerala Reserve police to prevent the entry of people and smuggling of liquor. Similarly, the entry points of Yanam with Andhra Pradesh was also being sealed from tonight.

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