BRAVING THE HEAT: Women waiting to cast their votes at a polling station at Tiruvottiyur in Chennai. — Photo: Shaju John

CHENNAI: An estimated 65 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the Assembly election on Monday.

The polls went off peacefully without any major incident, Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said. Braving the scorching sun, voters thronged the polling stations in different parts of the State.

Mr.Gupta told reporters here that the polling percentage varied from district to district. Madurai and Erode recorded the highest of around 73 per cent and Theni the lowest — 57 per cent.

The exact figures would be available on Tuesday, he said.

Brief interruption

Minor incidents were reported in some constituencies. Following a problem between polling agents of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in booth No.137 in the Andipatti segment, polling was stopped at 8.20 a.m. The electronic voting machine (EVM) was sealed.

A total of 91 votes were recorded then. A fresh control unit was provided and polling continued smoothly. A case had been registered under Sections 448, 357 and 506(1) IPC and 136 (b) and 132 RP Act.

Violent incidents

A car belonging to an AIADMK member was set on fire at Kurumbur in the Tiruchendur constituency.

At Nariampatti in the Kolathur segment in Pudukottai district, a group of persons trespassed into a polling station and cast 45 votes after intimidating the polling officer.

A voter threw a chair at a polling officer in Seemanendal village in Mudukulathur segment, the CEO said.

Some stray incidents of clashes between rival parties were reported in places including the Nellikuppam, Tindivanam, Thirunavalur and Ottapidaram constituencies.

In the Chinnaselam constituency, a CISF constable fired in the air to disperse a crowd, which protested against alleged manhandling of a person during queue regulation in a polling station in Pukkiravari.

However, striking force and police patrol parties restored order.

Defect in EVM

A total of 324 votes polled in a booth in Mugaiyur could not be registered due to a defect in the EVM, Mr.Gupta said, adding that re-poll might be ordered in these constituencies on May 10.Incidents of poll boycott were reported in some places to project local demands relating to basic amenities.

In a polling station in the Anaicut constituency, a section of voters who objected to video recording of electors were persuaded by officials not to boycott the poll, he said.

Elaborate arrangements

A senior police official told The Hindu that the police had made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful election.

The arrangements would continue for the counting also, he said.

Polling in Pondicherry touched a new high with the Union Territory recording an average of 82.5 per cent in the Pondicherry and Karaikal regions.

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