Chennai: All preparations are in full swing for the urban local body elections in Tamil Nadu. Voting starts at 7 a.m. today and runs until 6 p.m. The State Election Commission has taken steps to hold the election peacefully. In Tamil Nadu, elections are being held today (19th) for a total of 12,826 ward councilor posts in 21 corporations, 138 municipalities and 489 municipalities, including Chennai. Voting starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. Voting will be conducted electronically at all polling stations. Electronic voting machines have been sent to a total of 31,029 polling stations in Tamil Nadu since yesterday afternoon. 55,337 control machines and 1 lakh 6 thousand 121 electronic voting machines are used in local elections. Voting machines were dispatched yesterday afternoon by vehicles equipped with GPS equipment to the respective polling stations with gun-toting police security.
The vehicle was carrying indelible ink and pens used for the election, a book containing voter details and items including a mask, gloves and body thermometer to the polling stations to prevent the spread of corona infection. With the polling in Tamil Nadu scheduled for 7 am today, the State Election Commission has completed all the preparations for the elections and is ready. 1.33 lakh teachers and civil servants are involved in the election process. All of them arrived at the polling stations allotted to them by 4 pm yesterday and took charge. In their presence, electronic voting machines are kept safe. There are 4 government employees working in a polling station.
One lakh 33 thousand police personnel have been deployed across Tamil Nadu to ensure that no untoward incidents take place during the urban local government elections and that the public can come to the polls without fear. Voting begins at 7 a.m. today and runs until 6 p.m. Only those with Govt symptoms and those affected will be allowed to vote from 5pm to 6pm. Also, voters must wear a face mask. Arrangements have been made to deliver at the polling stations if the mask is not worn. Special arrangements have been made at all polling stations for the disabled to cast their votes. The State Election Commission has announced that all arrangements have been made for the public to come to the polls without fear.
Voting ends at 6pm today and will be sealed in the presence of the candidates for the electronic machine. The electronic voting machines will then be taken to counting centers with gun-toting police security and placed in the Strong Room by tonight. Counting will begin at 8 a.m. on the 22nd (Tuesday). Lead status will be revealed from 9 p.m.
2,79,56,754 eligible to vote in the election
A total of 2,79,56,754 voters were eligible to vote in the urban local elections, including 1,37,06,793 male voters, 1,42,45,637 female voters and 4,325 third gender voters. Of these, 1,54,84,607 are in the corporation alone, 64,92,735 in municipalities and 59,79,412 in municipalities. There are 61,18,734 voters in Chennai alone.