Vikravandi bypoll records 82.48% turnout

Brisk polling was witnessed in the bypoll to Vikravandi assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday with voters queuing up in large numbers at polling stations to exercise their franchise since morning.

As much as 82.48% of the voters cast their vote, data shared by the Election Commission said.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the demise of DMK legislator N Pughazhendhi, who died due to illness on April 6.

A total of 29 candidates are in the fray and the counting of votes will be taken up on July 13.

It is a triangular contest in the bypoll with ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s candidate Anniyur Siva (alias Sivashanmugam A) pitted against Pattali Makkal Katchi’s (PMK) C Anbumani and Naam Tamilar Katchi’s K Abinaya.

Principal opposition party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and its ally Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) have boycotted the bypoll.

Tight security arrangements were made at the polling booths in the constituency which has 2.37 lakh voters, including 1.16 lakh men and 1.20 lakh women voters.