Counting begins in Pondy

Pondicherry, July 3 (UNI) Amidst tight security, counting of votes polled in the local body elections in the Union Territory of Pondicherry began at 0800 hours this morning.

Local body elections were held in the Union Territory in three phases on June 24, 27 July 1, after a gap of 38 years.

The counting was being held in seven centres in Pondicherry, six in Karaikal and one each in Mahe and Yanam regions. The area around the centres had been cordoned off and traffic diverted. Personnel of the Rapid Action Force and Indian Reserve Battalion were deployed for security duty.

All the results were expected to be announced by this evening with results of ward members and panachayat councillors starting within two hours of commencement of counting.

Over 3,000 people contested the elections to fill the post of five municipal chairmen, 122 municipal councillors, 98 commune panchayat councillors, 98 village panchayat presidents and 815 village panchayat ward members. The posts of municipal chairmen, municipal councillors and commune panchayat councillors were contested on party basis.

UNI PAB AA MIR KN1005