Voting for the state Assembly elections began across Tamil Nadu at 7 am on Monday. An electorate of more than 5.7 crore people will decide the fates of more than 3,800 candidates contesting from 232 constituencies. By 5 pm, the state recorded a voter turnout of 69.19%.
While many people braved rain across the state to come to the polling booths, the chief electoral officer said they might considering pushing the closing time to beyond 6 pm. "Heavy rain was reported in a few parts, including the coastal regions of Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts. I have asked district collectors about extending the poll time in rain-affected districts, and then we'll inform the ECI. The decision will be made after 3 pm," said Rajesh Lahoni, the chief electoral officer of Tamil Nadu.
In Aravakurichi and Thanjavur, voting was deferred to May 23 after it was found that candidates and political parties distributed money and other gifts as bribes in exchange for votes.
More than 300 units of paramilitary personnel have been deployed to maintain security at 65,616 polling stations. Tamil Nadu will have a single-phase election, unlike West Bengal, where polls were held in six phases, and Assam, where it was held in two.
Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan both voted early on Monday. Rajinikanth cast his vote from Stella Maris College. He urged everyone to vote, saying it was their duty.
Among the candidates in the race are Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Jayalalithaa, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi, his son MK Stalin, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam chief Vijaykanth (Ulundurpet), Pattali Makkal Katchi head Anbumani Ramadoss, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Thamizhisai Soundararajan and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi party president Thol Thirumavalavan.
The Election Commission on Saturday issued show cause notices to both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi for violating the model code of conduct in effect in the state. The monitoring body sought an explanation from both leaders for how they planned to meet the promises made in the election manifestos of their parties.
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