Third phase local body polls begin

Pondicherry, July 1 (UNI) The third and final phase of local body elections in the Union Territory of Pondicherry began on a peaceful note at 0700 hours this morning.

The polling will end at 1700 hours.

Elections to Ariyankuppam, Bahour, Nettapakkam and Manndipet commune panchayats were being held in the final phase to decide the electoral fortunes of 1571 candidates. About 1.53 lakh electorate will vote in the final phase of elections. The first and second phase of elections were held on June 24 and 27 respectively.

Polling began on a dull note in almost all commune panchayats barring a few booths in Ariyankuppam. Seventy-four out of 444 polling stations were identified as sensitive and additional security was provided. Three companies of Rapid Action Force and Indian Reserve Battalion besides local police and home guards were deployed for election duty.

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