Pondicherry: The three outlying regions of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, which went to the first phase of civic polls simultaneously on Saturday, recorded 85 per cent polling.

Polling went off peacefully. Yanam recorded the highest percentage (92.41) followed by Karaikal (84) and Mahe (79). The District Collector of Pondicherry G. Theva Needhi Dhas, District Election Officer, told The Hindu from Mahe that there was a good voter turnout despite inclement weather.

The Regional Secretary of the State Election Commission in Karaikal Rattan Singh said polling was brisk in both the municipal limits and in the five commune panchayats.

The first phase of the poll was to constitute municipal councils the three regions and five commune panchayats with the village panchayats. The total voters in these three regions are 86,752.

State Election Commissioner R. Narayana told newspersons earlier that adequate police personnel, including members of the Rapid Action Force and also the India Reserve Battalion, were deployed.

Counting of votes polled on Saturday would be done separately in the regions on July 3.

The second phase of poll covering Pondicherry and Oulgaret municipalities and the Villianoor commune panchayat is scheduled for June 27 while the third and final phase of poll covering the remaining four commune panchayats in Ariyankuppam, Bahoor, Mannadipet and Nettapakkam in Pondicherry region is scheduled for July 1.

The campaign for the second phase of polling comes to an end at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Election of chairmen of the municipal councils, councillors and also of the members of the commune panchayats would be held on party basis while the village panchayat presidents and village panchayat ward members would be elected on non-party basis.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail