Brisk pace marks voting; over 50 per cent polling in TN

Polling crossed 50 per cent in all three constituencies in Tamil Nadu by 1 PM in a peaceful atmosphere amid tight security, with Aravakkurichi topping the list with 61.98 per cent.
52.29 per cent polling was recorded in Thirupparankundram. Thanjavur witnessed 50.05 per cent, poll officials said and hoped that the turnout would go up substantially.
All arrangements as part of measures to ensure free and fair polls, including web casting and videography, are in place in all the three constituencies with enhanced focus on sensitive locations, they said.
Amenities, including drinking water and ramps for the differently abled to access polling stations have been made available to voters, they added.

Meanwhile, two AIADMK booth agents at two polling stations in Pallapatti in Aravakkurichi assembly constituency were asked to leave the booths following complaints that they were outsiders.
Rangasamy (AIADMK) and DMK's Anjugam Bhoopathy are the main contenders in Thanjavur. In Aravakkurichi, Senthil Balaji (AIADMK) and K C Palanisamy (DMK) are in the fray.AIADMK's A K Bose is pitted against DMK's Saravanan in Thirupparankundram.

Chief Minister and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals, has urged people to vote for her party in the three constituencies and the lone seat in Puducherry.
Nellithope in Puducherry registered 61 per cent polling till 1 PM.

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, a non-member of the House, is taking on AIADMK candidate Om Sakthi Segar in Nellithope.
Voting had begun at 7 AM today for polls in Thanjavur, Aravakkurichi and for bypolls in Thirupparankundram in Tamil Nadu and the lone Nellithope seat in neighbouring Puducherry amid tight security.