Bypolls end peacefully in TN, Puducherry; turnout over 65 pc

Bypolls to two Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry ended peacefully without any untoward incidents and each of these segments have clocked voting percentage of over 65 per cent.

In Tamil Nadu, Vikravandi segment topped with 84.36 per cent voting, and it was 66.10 per cent in Nanguneri and Puducherry's Kamaraj Nagar segment saw 69.44 per cent polling, election officials said.

In 2016 Assembly elections, Vikravandi had registered 81.25 per cent and Nanguneri 71.92 per cent voting.

Congress Kanyakumari MP, H Vasanthakumar was arrested for alleged corrupt practices and for staying in Nanguneri assembly constituency in Tirunelveli district in 'violation' of election rules, police said.

Vasanthakumar, whose resignation on his election to the Lok Sabha necessitated the bypoll in Nanguneri, was later produced before a court which released him on bail.

Asked about the issue, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said, "As per the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code, an FIR has been filed and the matter will be followed up."