Puducherry: Around 40 per cent of the 8.10 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm. in the
Union Territory which went to polls Wednesday to constitute its
30-member Assembly.
Official sources said that of the four regions in the UT,
Yanam, an enclave in Andhra Pradesh, recorded 49.52 percent
polling during the first five hours of polling. Revenue
Minister Malladi Krishna Rao is seeking election for the
fourth successive term from Yanam which also involves a
multi-cornered contest.
The turnout of women was considerably larger than their
male counterparts in rural and semi urban areas. There were
also several first time voters who exercised their franchise.
In a booth in Mangalam constituency a woman attached to an
anganwadi centre and who was on election duty was replaced
after complaints that she allegedly canvassed in favour of a
particular candidate, official sources said. Following
complaints from other party functionaries, the election
authorities immediately posted another person in her place,
sources said.
Lt Governor Iqbal Singh, Chief Minister V Vaithilingam,
former Chief Minister N Rangasamy were among those who
exercised their franchise today. Polling in the Union
Territory will come to an end at 5 pm.
PTI