Barring stray incidents, polling peaceful

Though there were problems between the arch rivals AIADMK and DMK, it did not deter the enthusiasm of the voters. At 8 am, Aravakurichi reached 15 per cent and the percentage kept on steadily increasing. At 9 am, the segment reached 25.66 per cent which is probably the highest among the constituencies witnessing elections on Saturday. 

Since then, the polling per cent steadily increased to 43.10 at 11 am and it reached 61.98 per cent at 1 pm and each hour, the per cent kept increasing and at 3 pm it reached 73.29 per cent while at 5 pm, the percentage was 82.13. 

Despite a few minor incidents, the overall polling went smoothly. Meanwhile, the AIADMK candidate V Senthil Balaji and DMK candidate KC Palanisamy were also found going around the polling stations. 

Though the polling was sluggish in the morning, the voters turn out increased gradually across the polling stations in the Thanjavur constituency. It climbed up to 69.07. 

In comparison to other seats, the polling percentage around 8 am was only 10 per cent. Those working outside Thanjavur were given a day’s leave to exercise their franchise. Interestingly the turnout was more in the rural pockets than the urban areas. Around 9 am the voting percentage slowly climbed to 15 per cent and by  11 am it reached up to 34 per cent.  By 1 pm the percentage was 49. Afternoon witnessed brisk polling as voters kept thronging the booths. At 3 pm it was 61.07 per cent and at 5 pm it reached 69 per cent. 

Many of the first time voters enthusiastically proceeded to the booths and senior citizens were offered wheel chairs to reach the polling booths. 

With an impressive polling percentage of 71.04 per cent, Tiruparankundram witnessed more women voters polling in than that of men in the constituency. The total polling percentage of 71.04 is higher than the total polling percentage of 67.98 percentage in the 2016 Assembly election but however it is far too less compared to 76.13 percentage polled in 2011.

Only a few rural areas witnessed brisk voting right in the morning. As usual urban pockets saw sober voting pattern early and it picked up later.  At 9 am the total voting percentage was just 14.10 per cent. Initially the percentage of male voters was high. At 9 am 16.41 percentage of male voters had casted their votes against 11.95 percentage of female voters but the trend soon reversed. At 11 am the total polling percentage was 31.99 percentage. 

At 1 pm the total polling percentage stood at 51.89 percentage with women voters at 52.03 percentage and men voters at 51.76 percentage. By 3 pm the total polling percentage was 62.46 percentage. The margin between men and women voters had increased as 63.28 percentage of women voters casted their votes against 61.63 percentage of male voters. 

Finally, by 5 pm the total polling percentage stood at 71.04. The total percentage of women voters was 71.74 and the total percentage of men voters was 70.34. Candidates of all the major political parties visited the booths and checked about the proceedings.