50 per cent voters exercise franchise by noon

Pondicherry, May 3 (UNI) An estimated 50 per cent of the 45708 electorate exercised their franchise by noon in the first phase of elections to the 30 member territorial Assembly.

Mahe, Palloor and Yanam constituencies went to polls today in the first phase and 21 costituencies in Pondicherry region and six in Karaikal, would go to polls in the second phase on May eight.

Polling was so far peaceful and elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure law and order. As many as 19 candidates including Health Minister E Valsaraj, were in the fray for the first phase. In all the three constituencies, women outnumbered men in exercising their franchise.

Polling in Palloor and Yanam constituencies were delayed as the presiding officer had mistakenly pressed the ''close'' button.

It was, however, rectified after half-an-hour and the polling continued.

Polling in another booth in Mahe was also delayed due to a technical snag in a digital camera, which was later rectified.

UNI PAB HS KP1527