Madurantakam, Dharapuram go to polls for second time in six months

Voting will be held between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 285 and 320 polling stations in Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, respectively. | Photo Credit: C. VENKATACHALAPATHY

Madurantakam (SC)and Dharapuram (SC) Assembly Constituencies will go to polls for the second time in six months of Tuesday.

Over 2.13 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in Madurantakam (SC) constituency. Out of the 2.13 lakh electors, 1.08 lakhs are women. The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of AIADMK MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, who is now contesting as the TVK candidate. The DMK has put up its former Egmore MLA I. Paranthamen, while the AIADMK has brought back S. Kanitha Sampath, who had won the seat in 2011. The CPI(M), although extending outside support to the TVK-led government, is contesting independently and has put up P. Suganthi of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front.

Chengalpattu Collector M. Veerappan said polling materials and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been dispatched to all 285 polling stations on Monday. A mock poll would be held at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday before polling begins at 7 a.m. Sixty polling stations have been identified as vulnerable. There would be a micro-observer deputed by the Election Commission (EC) in each of the polling stations. The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel have been stationed at 60 locations in the constituency, Dr. Veerappan added.