Tamil Nadu - Dindigul   

Good response from rural voters

. — PHOTO: G. KARTHIKEYAN.

DUTY-BOUND:Voters standing in a long queue to cast votes at Michaelpalayam near Nilakottai in Dindigul district on Wednesday. (Right) Electorate waiting to exercise their democratic right at Ammapuram near Theni on Wednesday

DINDIGUL: Despite minor incidents, polling was peaceful by and large in both Theni and Dindigul districts here on Wednesday.

Response was overwhelming among rural voters as many men and women were standing in a long queue to cast votes. Such enthusiasm was lacking in urban areas. Crowd was very poor at Devangar School in Chinnalapatti in Athoor constituency and there was none in one of the booths in the school at 9 a.m.

Polling percentage was high in rural areas in the first hour compared to urban centres.

While polling in Dindigul was around 15 per cent around 10.30 a.m., Nilakottai registered 30 per cent of votes at 11 a.m. and more than 25 per cent in Athoor, Oddanchatram and Palani by this time.

Arrival of women voters to rural polling stations was high in many booths in Oddanchatram.

At lunch, many stations in Palani and Oddanchatram crossed 50-per cent mark in the afternoon. Sharp showers that lashed Kodaikanal disrupted polling in the afternoon.

To control the crowd, poll officials closed the door of Azhagunaickenpatti station in Athoor constituency.

Later, flying squad that visited the booth asked the presiding officer to keep the door open.

DMDK booth agent alleged that a woman poll official in that booth cast votes on behalf of aged voters.

Dindigul town police secured a person who created trouble in an inebriated mood near a polling station.

Theni

Initially, polling was dull in many constituencies in the district in the morning.

After an hour, it picked up well.

At lunch, poll percentage crossed 50-per cent mark in all the four constituencies.

However, polling was in full swing from the beginning in Bodinayakkanur. In the meanwhile, the Q branch police have taken 23 polling stations under their control.

No vehicle was allowed to enter Tamil Nadu from Kerala as the district election office sealed all entry points since 8 a.m.

Tourists' vehicles were stranded in many tourists' destinations in Kerala.

However, vehicles carrying essential commodities like milk were allowed to cross the border.

Security was tightened in all polling stations and additional forces guarded sensitive stations.

Micro observers too were monitoring poll process.

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