Security for final phase of LB polls on Oct 15

Chennai, Oct 14: The second and final phase of the local body elections in Tamil Nadu is scheduled to be held tomorrow amid tight security, even as the State Election Commission (SEC) has ordered repolling in 60 booths across the state following complaints of rigging and booth capturing during the first phase of elections held yesterday.

The civic election will decide the fate of nearly four lakh candidates, who are fighting it out for 1,30,962 posts -- 13,660 in urban bodies and 1,17,302 in rural bodies.

In the second phase, election is scheduled to be held for 63,202 posts in urban and rural bodies, including Tiruchirapalli and Madurai Corporations, 57 Municipalities, 27 third grade Municipalities, 280 Town Panchayats and 190 Panchayat Unions.

The SEC has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the poll and has despatched polling materials, including ballot boxes and ballot papers to the respective polling stations.

In view of reports of booth capturing and violence which marred the first phase of elections in Chennai city yesterday, a tight securiy blanket has been provided for the peaceful conduct of the polls in the second phase.

State Election Commissioner D Chandrasekaran told reporters that repolling would be held tomorrow in 60 polling booths across Tamil Nadu, including 17 in Chennai city, which witnessed pitched battles between the cadres of ruling and opposition cadres yesterday.

The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, the opposition AIADMK-led Democratic People's Alliance and actor Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam are the key contestants in the fray.

As many as 37,805 Independents are also testing their electoral fortune.

The civic election is being keenly contested this time, as the outcome is being viewed as a referendum on the performance of the five-month-old Karunanidhi Government.

UNI

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