R.K. Nagar goes to poll amid tight security

Over 1,600 police personnel and 15 companies of paramilitary forces deployed

December 21, 2017 12:14 am | Updated 07:38 am IST - Chennai

CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 01/12/2017: First level checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) at the Corporation Middle School in Pulianthope for the RK Nagar byelection, in Chennai on Friday. 
Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 01/12/2017: First level checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) at the Corporation Middle School in Pulianthope for the RK Nagar byelection, in Chennai on Friday. Photo: V. Ganesan

The polling for Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency in north Chennai, necessitated by the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, is set to commence in over 250 polling booths at 8 a.m. and would go on till 5 pm on Thursday. The result of the bypoll is scheduled to be declared on December 24. The constituency has over 2.26 lakh voters, including 1.16 lakh women.

The Election Commission has directed all voters to produce the elector’s photo identity card (EPIC) for identification at the polling station before casting their votes.

Those who are unable to produce the EPIC, shall produce either passport, driving licence, service ID cards, bank passbooks, PAN card, MNREGA job card, health insurance card, pension document, voter slip issued by authorities or Aadhaar card to be able to cast their vote.

“The possession of EPIC cards or other form of identity proofs prescribed by the Commission will not entitle a person to exercise his/her vote, unless his/her name is found in the electoral roll supplied to the polling station,” the Commission clarified.

EC sends nine observers

A heavy posse of over 1,600 police and 15 companies of paramilitary personnel have already taken positions in the constituency and about 2,000 officials would be deployed on election-related activities.

For the first time, a total of nine election observers had been sent to the constituency by the Election Commission.

To ensure transparency and as part of surveillance in the constituency, about 220 cameras have been installed in various places and over 250 cameras in polling booths. Besides the micro observers in all booths, 41 teams on bike patrol and another 21 zonal parties are also involved in the surveillance.

Tight contest

While the ruling AIADMK is seeking to retain the seat held by their leader and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, DMK is attempting to capitalise on the prevailing political situation in the State and capture the seat. T.T.V. Dhinakaran, nephew of imprisoned V.K. Sasikala is also among the contenders to prove the clout he claims to have among the people.

Though the bypoll for the constituency was earlier scheduled on April 12 by the Election Commission, it was eventually rescinded following charges of distribution of money to voters.

On November 24, the Commission announced the bypoll again following an order of the Madras High Court.

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