Tamil Nadu - Erode   

All geared up for local body polls in Tiruchengode region

Staff Reporter

ERODE: With the first phase of local body elections less than 24 hours away, men and materials are ready, moving towards their respective destinations.

In Tiruchengode Block, which has 26 panchayats, elections for panchayat presidents' post will be held only in 24 local bodies. Each of the remaining two has seen only one candidate file nomination.

For these 24 seats, 70 candidates are in the fray, including 28 women. Besides the presidents' posts, the 26 panchayats have 101 ward members' seats, for which 372 candidates fight it out on Friday's election. Of the 372, 138 are women.

Nomination

For the 14-seat Tiruchengode Panchayat Union elections are held for only 13 seats. In the remaining seat only one person has filed nomination. For these 13 seats, 42 candidates, including 19 women, are fighting it out.

Likewise for the two District Panchayat posts there are seven contestants in the fray, including two women.

Nine booths have been identified sensitive and these will have the democratic exercise video graphed. Besides, there will be additional police force. Tiruchengode Revenue Divisional Officer V. Rajan Durai is supervising the election work.

In Komarapalayam Municipality, one of the biggest in the region, 49,166 voters will decide the fate of 127 candidates, who are contesting the 33 wards in the Grade One civic body. Eight booths have been identified sensitive, and these are in Wards 31,32 and 33.

Namakkal District Police have deployed 450 policemen along with 175 Armed Reserve Police.

Two companies from Tamil Nadu Special Police battalions II and VII have also been deployed. The total strength of personnel from this force is around 200.

In addition to this, personnel from Forest Department, Food Cell, Fire and Rescue Services Department and ex-service men have also been roped in. The latter alone is about 400 strong.

Sensitive booths

Namakkal District Police sources say for the sensitive booths, an armed sub-inspected and policeman will be posted. Aiding them will be striking forces and mobile units. Fifty-six striking force teams will be doing the rounds, sources say and add it will consist of an inspector and five other personnel.

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