Polling process begins in Puducherry LS seat

Polling process for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union Territory of Puducherry was set in motion today with the publication of notification for the May 13 elections.
 
Returning Officer of the Puducherry Parliamentary constituency G.Ragesh Chandra said in a communication that nominations could be filed between 11 a.M. And 3 p.M on any day (other than a public holiday) from today by candidates aspiring to contest from the seat.
 
The last day for filing of nominations is April 24 while scrutiny of papers has been slated for April 25. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is April 27 while the polling would take place on May 13 and counting on May 16.
 
The main contest from here is expected to be between Union Minister of State and AICC General Secretary V Narayanasamy (Congress) and sitting PMK Member of Parliament M.Ramadoss, seeking re-election for a second term.
 
Puducherry has a total electorate of 7,55,889 of whom men are 3,64,167 and 3,91,722 women.
 
Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions which together constitute the lone Lok Sabha seat would have totally 850 polling stations and voting would be through electronic voting machines (EVMs) this time also. As many as 1,200 EVMs were being used for the elections.

Election authorities had received 20 complaints of alleged violation of the model code of conduct of which 14 of them were closed following Election Commission directive and the rest had been referred to the police for follow up investigaion, Chandra said.