78 p c registered in phase two polling in UT

Pondicherry, June 27 (UNI) An estimated 78 per cent of the over three lakh electorate exercised their franchise in the second phase of the three-phase local body elections here today.

Addressing a press conference here, District Collector and District Election Officer Theva Neethi Das said after the polling closed at 1700 hrs, 75 per cent of the voters had exercised their franchise in the Pondicherry Municipality area, 72 in Ozhukarai Muncipality area and 87 per cent in Villianur commune panchayat area.

A few people, who were in queues, were allowed to cast their votes even after 1700 hrs, he informed.

The polling was peaceful in Pondicherry and Ozhukarai municipalities and Villianur commune panchayats, which went to the polls in the second phase today.

Elections to four commune panchayats in Pondicherry region would be held in the third and final phase on July one, Mr Das said adding that the counting would be held on July three.

Referring to people of Motilal Nagar boycotting the polls, Mr Das said it was due to the delimitation done in 1996 and could be rectified only in the next delimitation.

Additional senior Superintendent of Police B Srikanth, who was also present said there was no major untoward incident except police chasing groups in some places who were on the verge of clash by using mild forces and brought the situation under control.

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