65 per cent voters exercise franchise

Chennai, May 8: An estimated 65 per cent of the more than 4.63 crore electorate cast their votes as polling in 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the formation of the 12th Assembly ended peacefully, barring minor incidents.

With the authorities throwing massive security cover, deploying more than one lakh security personnel, including unprecedented 198 companies of para-military forces, polling was by and large peaceful.

''Polling was held in a free and fair manner. Barring few minor incidents, polling was by and large peaceful,'' Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said, addressing a press conference this evening.

Stating that the approximate 65 per cent of polling was highest poll per centage recorded in the state since 1991, Mr Gupta said an highest of 72 to 73 per cent was recorded in Madurai district in southern part of the state, while the lowest of 51 per cent was recorded in the city, followed by 57 per cent in Theni district.

Mr Gupta said there was no incident of bogus voting. In some places, there was delay in commencement of polling due to malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).But polling continued after the faults were rectified by the officials. However, in some places, the faults in the EVMs were noticed only after few hunderds votes were cast. His office would send a proposal to the Election Commission for repolling in those booths and if the Commission decides that it was necessary, repolling would be held on May ten, a day before the counting starts the next day, he said.

At Andipatti constituency, where the DMK nominee Seeman had allegedly damaged an EVM, Mr Gupta, without naming anyone, said the Returning Officer has reported that the controlling unit was damaged at a polling station. The unit was replaced and polling resumed later, he said.

There was one incident of firing at Chinna Salem in Villupuram district and a car was set ablaze in Tiruchendur constituency, Mr Gupta said.

At Nariampet in Pudukottai district, 45 people have tresspassed and cast votes, he said. In another incident at Seemananthel, near Mudukulathur, a voter had assaulted the Presiding Officer by throwing a chair at him. There were reports of clashes between rival groups, he said.

In couple of places, people boycotted the polling protesting against lack of basic amenities, he said. Polling was held up in a polling booth when voters objected to videography, but resumed after the intervention of the officials, he added.

In some places, voters availed form 49(O) to say that they were not willing to vote for any candidate, the option given to the voters for the first time in this election. However, in some places, the officials themselves were not aware of the option, he added.

After polling was completed, the EVMs were sealed and taken to the counting centres, amid tight security. Round the clock security has been posted at all counting centres in the State. The counting will be taken up from 0800 hrs on May 11.

Eds here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI