Curtains came down on campaigning for the by-election to the Tiruchi West Assembly constituency here on Tuesday.
The AIADMK and the DMK went all out to garner support for their candidates.
The AIADMK candidate, M. Paranjothi and other party leaders embarked on intensive door-to-door canvassing over the past couple of days. DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, who had been camping in the city over the past few days, extensively toured the constituency to enlist support for the party candidate K.N. Nehru.
Meanwhile, the district administration on instructions from the Election Commission barred campaigning for local body elections within the constituency till 5 p.m. on Thursday. However, candidates were allowed to canvass door-to-door in wards within the constituency.
But they should not be accompanied by more than four persons. They have been barred from carrying symbols of parties or banners during such canvassing. No loudspeakers should be used during the period.
Collector Jayashree Muralidharan said that all arrangements were in place for the by-election and the election observers and flying squads were maintaining a vigil to ensure that the model code of conduct was fully adhered to. She warned of stern action against any violations.
Polling officials to be deployed in the 240 polling stations in the constituency were selected randomly on Tuesday in the presence of R.K.Pathak, observer (general) and Ms. Muralidharan. All the 1,179 polling officials were assigned to the polling stations based on the randomisation exercise.
Mr. Pathak also inspected the process of door-to-door distribution of booth slips to voters in the constituency.
Police said checks had been intensified to ensure that no outsiders were camping in the constituency. All vehicles entering the city were being subjected to thorough searches at all check-posts around the city.