3,91,582 candidates in fray for TN local body polls

Chennai, Oct 1 (UNI) As many as 3,91,582 candidates are in the fray for the two-phase local body elections for 1,30,962 posts, to be held on October 13 and 15 in Tamil Nadu.

Talking to newspersons here today, State Election Commissioner T Chandrasekaran said 3491 candidates for the post of 474 ward Councillors of six Corporations, 17486 for 3392 municipal ward councillors, 5358 tes for 987 third grade munilipal ward councillors and 36094 for 8807 town panchayat ward councilors were in the fray.

He said also in the fray were, 25725 candidates for the post of 6570 panchayat union ward councillors, 2222 for 656 district panchayat ward councillors, 48422 for 12618 village panchayat presidents and 252783 for 97458 village panchayat ward members.

Referring to the reported accusation of the Marumalarchi DMK General Secretary Mr Vaiko that ruling DMK was having an ulterior motive in delaying the indirect elections to the posts of Mayors and Chairman of Municipalities and District Panchayat Presidents and Panchayat Union Chairmen, Mr Chandrasekaran clarified that as per the existing rules there should be a seven-day gap between the issuance of notification for Convening the special meeting to elect the Mayors and others and the actual date of the special meeting.

He said the issuance of declaration certificates to the winning candidates would take place up to October 20. Hence they fixed October 28 for holding indirect elections for the post of Mayors and others and there was nothing wrong in it.

He also pointed out that 18,481 were elected unopposed for the post of Corporation Councillor, Municipalities and third grade municipality ward councillors, town panchayat ward, panchayat union ward, district panchayat ward members, village panchayat presidents and village panchayat ward members, as others did not file their papers for their respective posts,he added.

Mr Chandrasekaran also pointed out that the Election Commission has identified around 15,000 polling booths as sensitive and adequate security measures would be arranged for such booths.

He said about 1,50,000 police personnel, homeguards and others would be pressed into bandobust duties.

The counting of votes will be take place in 860 centres on October 18, he added.

UNI RV RL KP1949