Tamil Nadu by-polls: Brisk voting reported in Dharapuram and Madurantakam
Polling began at 7 am this morning in the by-elections to the reserved Assembly constituencies of Dharapuram and Madurantakam, with brisk voting witnessed at several polling stations in both constituencies.
The district administrations have declared a local holiday to facilitate voter participation. Voting will continue until 6 pm, while elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful and smooth polling. The by-elections are the first electoral test for the TVK-led government, which assumed office four months ago.
The vacancies arose following the resignations of former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel of Madurantakam and P. Sathyabama of Dharapuram. Both later joined TVK, and the ruling party has fielded the same candidates in the by-polls.
The election has turned into a four-cornered contest, with TVK, DMK, AIADMK and CPI fielding candidates. The Left parties are extending outside support to the TVK-led government. A total of 27 candidates are contesting in Madurantakam, while 30 candidates are in the fray in Dharapuram.
In Madurantakam, 2,12,639 voters are eligible to cast their votes at 268 polling stations. Dharapuram has 2,22,406 electors and 282 polling stations.
With polling underway, voter turnout in the two constituencies is being closely watched as the results could provide an early indication of the political mood in Tamil Nadu.