Brisk polling in Madurai Central Assembly constituency

Madurai, Oct 11 (UNI) Polling commenced on a brisk note in the by-election for Madurai Central Assembly constituency today with voters queuing up at the polling centres to exercise their franchise.

Polling, which began at 0700 hrs, would end at 1700 hrs.

While the ruling DMK, which held the seat, has fielded S S Ghouse Basha, the opposition AIADMK has nominated its Urban District Secretary V V Rajan Chellappa.

The DMDK of filmstar-turned politician Vijaykanth has put up a green horn, M R Pannerselvam. In all there are 19 candidates in the fray.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of DMK stalwart and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Minister P T R Palanivel Rajan on May 20.

With a total electorate of 1.32 lakh, of which women accounted for 65,898, this constituency is the first in the state to have an election with Photo Electoral Rolls, on a pilot basis.

In the wake of apprehensions over free and fair poll since the campaign witnessed violence, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in all the 154 polling stations, declared as sensitive.

Marriage halls in the city have been made out of bounds for political conclaves since last weekend to prevent alleged cash distribution to voters. Besides three-tier security at every polling booth/centre, arrangements have been made for videography in each of them.

For security duty 3,000 police personnel and three companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed. In addition, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and three companies of Karnataka Special Armed Police have been stationed. Outside elements, posing a threat to the peaceful conduct of the poll, were removed from lodging houses and other places.

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