DMK chief exudes confidence; Jayalalithaa says wait for results

Tamil Nadu witnessed brisk polling in 232 Assembly constituencies with over 25 per cent voters exercising their franchise by 11 a.m. Over 300 companies of paramilitary personnel are involved in election duty. The polling will continue till 6 p.m. today.

There were also reports of polling machines developing technical snags in Tirunelveli and Theni districts.

Stalin demands CBI inquiry into distribution of money

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam treasurer M.K. Stalin demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged money distribution in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies where the election have been postponed. Mr. Stalin alleged that a senior minister including Chief Minister Jayalalithaa were involved in the irregularities..

Rajinikanth ducks query on cash distribution

Superstar Rajinikanth urged people to vote, saying it is the duty of all citizens to exercise their franchise..Live updates:

2.00 p.m.: Tirunelveli district poll percentage at 1 p.m. 47.39 per cent.

1.57 p.m.: V.S. Palaniappan from Coimbatore reported that mild tension prevailed in Coimbatore South Assembly constituency and police were brought as AIADMK and DMK men clashed.

1.50 pm: Voting was disrupted at the Govt. High school, Mylapore, as the battery in one of the EVMs drained out.

1.45 pm: Namakkal district records 52.04% till 1 pm.

1.45 pm: Virudhunagar district records 45.66 % till 1 pm.

1.43 p.m.: Poll percentage in Tamil Nadu at 1 p.m. is 42.1 per cent, says Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni

1.40 p.m.: Polling status 1 p.m. Karur district average 60 per cent

1:22 pm: Our Correspondent S.P. Saravanan reports: Salem district registers 52.08 per cent polling till 1 p.m.

12:52 pm: Over 100 people protest near Vaidyanathan Bridge over quality of the indelible ink used at booth no. 32. Bodi DMK candidate S. Lakshmanan makes a similar complaint to RO.

12:28 pm: Some bad news coming from Sivaganga district. Our Correspondent D.J. Walter Scott says a portion of a ceiling at a polling station in Devipattinam has fallen and three have been injured.

12:21 pm: Polling in Kanyakumari district: Kanyakymari 29%; Nagercoil 28%; Colachel 16%; Padmanabapuram 29%; Vilavancode 28%; Killiyoor 19%

12:10 pm: Our Correspondent K. Raju reports: AIADMK and DMK workers clash in Jeyamangalm in Theni over bogus voting.

12:05 pm: News coming in that Madurai district has recorded 28.05 per cent polling till 11 a.m.

11:52 am: CEO Rajesh Lakhoni says poll per cent in Chennai looks higher than average and there are many first time voters in Chennai, Tiruchi. Arrangements are being made to ensure voting is not disrupted because of power cuts.

11:48 am: Despite rains, Madurai records more percentage of voting than the State average reported till 11 am.

11:36 am: Over 25% polling recorded in first four hours.

11:31 am: Dindigul district polling percentage at 21.59%; Polling percentage crosses 30 in the Nilgris district

Actor Kamal Haasan along with his daughter Akshara at a polling centre in Eldams Road, Chennai. Photo : S. R. Raghunathan

11:14: Voters from Karnataka stage a protest demonstration at Hosur bus stand complaining lack of adequate buses.

11:03 am: Following rains, polling hours in Cuddalore (coastal areas) Thanjavur (coastal areas) Dindigul (entire) Madurai (entire) Nagapattinam (entire) districts might be increased. We are considering; yet to take a decision. If need arises, will recommend it to Election Commission, says CEO Rajesh Lakhoni

The DMK leader M.K. Stalin, along with his family members, waiting for his turn to vote at SIET college. Photo : S. R. Raghunathan

10:49 am: Braving downpour, women police officers guard a polling booth at Anbil near Lalgudi. Photo: M. Srinath

10:45 am:

10:40 am: Former TN Speaker Sedapatti R. Muthiah casts his vote at Avaniapuram in Madurai. He tells reporters that women turnout in large numbers suggest that they are for prohibition by the DMK.

10:35 am: Rain and EC fiat dampen the spirits of Thanjavur constituency voters. In some polling stations no proper notice on postponement.

10:30 am: “Wait for two more days for people’s verdict,” says Chief Minister Jayalalithaa after casting her vote.

9:50 am: Our Correspondent B. Kolappan reports: DMK leader Stalin demands CBI inquiry into alleged money transfer. He says DMK combine is poised for a big victory.

9:42 am: 14.4 per cent polling till 9 a.m. in Tiruchi district.

9:40 am: After two hours, polling percentage is in single digit in Ramnad and Sivaganga districts.

9:37 am: Clash between AIADMK and DMK workers in seventh ward in Oddanchatram. Two DMK men are reportedly injured.

9:36 am: DMDK chief Vijayakant arrives with wife Premalatha to cast his vote.

9:30 am:

9:26 am: CPI’s Mahendran says people are looking for a change. “Change is coming. If not this time, surely next time.”

9:23 am: 10 per cent polling recorded in Tirunelveli district till 9 a.m.

9:14 am: Polling percentage across Tamil Nadu as of 9 a.m.: 18.3

9:11 am: There are reports of election staff distributing oral rehydration salts (ORS) packs and to counter dehydration among voters in a Madhavaram polling station.

9:05 am: Good turnout in Melur constituency, Madurai despite rains. 12-15 per cent polling in most booths.

8.53 a.m. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and M.K. Stalin (right) vote in Chennai; Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan arrives to exercise his franchise in Erode and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram after casting his vote at his native village in Kandanur in Karaikudi constituency. Photos: M. Govarthan/ANI

8.45 a.m.: Our Correspondent Mohammad Imranullah talks about some of the new features introduced by the EC this time. Video: R. Anitha Imran

8.33 a.m.: DMK leader M.K. Stalin casts his vote, says “DMK alliance will win in all constituencies. People don’t want Jayalalithaa to come back to power.”

8:27 am: There are reports of technical snag in EVMs at polling stations in Tirunelveli. Faulty EVMs delay voting in 12 booths in Virudhunagar.

8.19 a.m.:

8.15 a.m.: Any first time voters? Tweet with #TNVotes #TNElection2016 and let us know.

8.14 a.m.: The media is waiting for Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Stella Maris college. She’s expected to arrive at 10 a.m.

7.56 a.m.: We have reports coming in saying there’s downpour in Manachanallur near Tiruchi. Voters wade through knee-deep water outside a panchayat school to cast their vote.

7.46 a.m.: Actor Kamal Haasan casts his vote in Alwarpet, says “I have cast my vote. Increase in voting percentage strengthens democracy.”

7.42 a.m.: Large turnout despite sharp showers in Tiruchi West.

7.40 a.m.: PM Modi tweets: “Urging all voters in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry to vote in record numbers today & be a part of this festival of democracy.”

Courtesy : thehindu.com