Tiruvannamalai , Nilgiris poll results may be out in hours

Tiruvannamalai has a total electorate of 10.11 lakh voters and there are 25 candidates in fray. The number of tables will depend on the total polling and the number of voters. The Nilgiris with ten candidates and 13.65 lakh voters is likely to throw early leads and the results can be expected before noon, the official explained.

Constituencies like North Chennai, Tenkasi, Vellore will take extra time as the poll officials and observers deputed by the Election Commission will have to monitor the counting of both the Lok Sabha and the bypoll seats. The state’s counting process will be something similar to Andhra as the work load due to Assembly seats, LS and the numbers of EVMS used are almost similar, the official said.

Almost all the seats in greater Chennai are congested, but the urban seats usually record low polling turn out and the seats with low polling will also throw early results, the official added.

Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo conducted a high-level meeting on poll arrangements. Web cameras, CCTV live, and additional deployment of paramilitary staff were discussed. DGP Ashutosh Shukla who had been posted as DGP (Elections) also reviewed the plan of action and security arrangements in place with district collectors and SPs.

Provision of drinking water, shamiana to provide shelter for voters and toilets facilities were also discussed in the meeting. All the district collectors were also asked to provide the detailed action taken plan on amenities provided to voters. The distribution of booth slips is to be taken up from Sunday and is likely to be completed by Tuesday. The local bodies have been asked to speed up the booth slip distribution, informed official sources said.

With just four days to go for the polls the election officials have stocked the indelible ink, stationaries and poll materials. About 1,74,700 indelible ink bottles are procured at a cost of Rs 2.47 crore.

The CEO also reviewed poll arrangements for the May 19 by-elections for four vacant seats notified earlier this week.