The Hindu : Front Page : Second phase of local body elections today

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Sunday, Oct 15, 2006
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Second phase of local body elections today

Madurai Bureau

Over 50 lakh voters are likely to exercise their franchise

PROCESS UNDER WAY: Corporation Commissioner D.J. Dinakkaren inspecting the despatch of poll materials to booths, in Madurai on Saturday. — Photo: K. Ganesan.

MADURAI : Arrangements are in place for the second phase of elections to local bodies in Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Theni, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari districts on Sunday.

The final phase involves Madurai Corporation, 24 municipalities, 98 town panchayats and 54 panchayat unions and the village panchayats coming under them. Around 50 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise.

The first phase, involving Tirunelveli Corporation, 19 municipalities, 54 panchayat unions and 73 town panchayats, passed off peacefully on Friday.

The second phase is being held under the shadow of Friday's violent incidents in the Chennai Corporation. Security has been tightened in all the districts and wherever required companies of Tamil Nadu Special Police and forces from Karnataka have been deployed.

Additional security has been provided in areas identified as sensitive, such as Abiramam, Kamudhi, Mudukulathur, Usilampatti, Tenkasi, Shencottah, Vallam, Paimpozhil, Achchamputhur, Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram and Kayathar.

Of significant interest are the elections to Pappapatti and Nattarmangalam village panchayats, which have been reserved for Dalits.

Pappapatti, in particular, is all set to have a Dalit president and ward members after 15 years.

Keeripatti, the third panchayat in the district, where Dalits were prevented from either contesting elections or continuing in office, has a Dalit president elected unopposed. The Madurai Corporation, where elections are to be held for 71 of the 72 wards, is another urban local body to attract the attention of major political parties. Besides the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which will be fighting to retain it, and the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which is keen to wrest power, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, whose founder Vijayakant belongs to Madurai, is working to create an impact.

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