3,407 voters exercise option of 49(O)

A total of 3,407 voters in the 16 constituencies of the city exercised the option of 49(O) during the assembly elections held on Wednesday.

Saidapet constituency, with 360 candidates, had the largest number of such voters who decided not to vote for any candidate after the electoral roll number had been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A.

Villivakkam had the least with 15 voters exercising the option of 49 (O).

Thiyagaraya Nagar – 330, Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni – 313, Perambur – 294, Egmore – 274, Mylapore – 260, Thousand Lights – 243, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, 228, Virugampakkam – 211, Kolathur – 209, Anna Nagar – 209, Harbour – 155, Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar – 136, Royapuram – 99, and Velachery – 71.

The election observers on Friday left the city after the 17A scrutiny was completed on Thursday. The recommendations of observers along with the scrutiny of the Register 17-A will be taken into consideration for deciding on re-poll or disciplinary action against any delinquent polling staff. The observers will be present during the counting of votes. A total of 5,390 postal ballots have been issued by the District Election Office. All public servants appointed on election duty can cast their votes through postal ballot system. The District Election Office had also issued postal ballot to 240 inmates of the Puzhal prison.