Arrangements for final phase of Local Body polls completed

Pondicherry, June 30 (UNI) All arrangements for the conduct of the final phase of Local Body elections in the Union Territory of Pondicherry on July one were completed.

According to State Election Commission sources, the ballot boxes and papers with the poll officials will reach all the polling stations by this evening.

The first and second phase of the elections conducted after a gap of 38 years in the Union Territory, were held on June 24 and June 27 respectively. The final phase will be for four commune panchayats in Pondicherry region . About 1.53 lakh voters will exercise their franchise to decide the electoral fortune of 1571 candidates.

Of the 444 polling stations ,including auxilary booths, 74 were identified as sensitive and additional security was being provided.

Three companies of Rapid Action Force and Indian Reserve Battalion, besides the local police were being deployed for election duty. A few anti-social elements were arrested as a precautionary measure to ensure a trouble-free polling.

Polling will be held from 0700 hours to 1700 hours and the counting will take place on July three.

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