Polling for local body first phase begins in Pondy

Pondicherry, June 24 (UNI) First phase polling for the three-phased local body elections in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, being held after a gap of 38 years, began on a peaceful note at 0700 hrs this morning.

Polling will come to an end at 1700 hrs.

Elections to Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam municipalities and five commune panchayats are being held in the first phase to decide the electoral fortunes of about 962 candidates. As many as 1,52,195 voters in the three regions of the Union Territory are expected to exercise their franchise in the first phase elections.

As the elections were being held after a gap of nearly four decades, long queues were seen in front of some booths, according to reports reaching here.

It is a fight between the DMK and AIADMK for the post of Karaikal municipal chairman while the Congress is locking horns with the CPM in Mahe. It is the Congress versus an independent in Yanam.

Adequate security measures had been taken to prevent untoward incidents during the elections, utilising the services of the Rapid Action Force and personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion.

Sensitive booths were identified and extra security provided.

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