CHENNAI: Voters turned out in large numbers on Wednesday to exercise their franchise in the Vikravandi bypoll that witnessed a three-cornered contest. A total of 1.95 lakh of 2.37 eligible voters cast their vote, accounting for a little over 82.48 per cent, according to an official update at 8 pm. The officials noted that there could be a slight change in the percentage of polling and the final figure would be released on Thursday.
The bypoll saw brisk polling since morning and except for a stray incident, involving a couple, was peaceful in almost all 276 booths.
As many as 1,95,495 voters — 95,536 men, 99,944 women and 15 third-gender — cast their votes. "The election went peacefully without any untoward incident," said Chief Electoral Officer of TN, Satyabrata Sahoo. He said a man attempted to attack a woman, but it had nothing to do with the election.
The constituency witnessed a triangular contest with ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's candidate Anniyur Siva (alias Sivashanmugam A) pitted against Pattali Makkal Katchi's C Anbumani and Naam Tamilar Katchi's K Abinaya. The principal opposition party in the State Assembly, AIADMK, and its ally DMDK had boycotted the bypoll.
The by-election was necessitated due to the demise of DMK legislator N Pughazhendhi, who died due to illness on April 6.