The battle for the control of Ripon Building on Monday will mainly be between the two major parties but after many years, other political parties too have fielded their own nominees, making it a multi-cornered contest.
The DMK's M. Subramanian, the popular incumbent, faces stiff competition from challenger Saidai S. Duraisamy, who fancies his chances because he represents the ruling party, which generally enjoys an advantage in local body polls.
Other parties have also campaigned aggressively, with the Congress and the PMK fielding known faces – Saidai P. Ravi and former Union Minister of State for Railways A.K. Moorthy.
The DMDK, no more in the AIADMK camp, has nominated G. Velmurugan as its mayoral candidate.
Poll arrangements
All arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of polls to the Chennai Corporation , said its Commissioner D. Karthikeyan here on Sunday.
Speaking to presspersons, he said that 376 mobile parties of the Corporation had been formed to ensure delivery of 71 kinds of material to be used for polling at 4,876 booths. This included 17,000 electronic voting machines and control units.
Following an order of the Madras High Court all booths would come under camera surveillance.
“Apart from professional videographers, we have also roped in 2,200 videographers including 1,000 candidates from online applications to record the election proceedings. A total of 3,200 laptops with webcams will be used in booths to monitor voting,” he added.
Mr. Kathikeyan requested media persons to refrain from filming or photographing the casting of vote which amounts to violation of the secret ballot system.
Mini control rooms
City police has setup four mini control rooms for each zone apart from its regular control rooms for the local body elections.
Residents can call 82204 11112, 82204 11113, 82204 11114, 82204 11115, 82204 11116 and 82204 11117 to report on any kind of election violence on Monday.
