Re-polling peaceful in Pappireddipatti

DHARMAPURI: The voter turnout was 72.26 per cent at 3 pm in Pappireddipatti Assembly constituency to which the re-polling was conducted on Sunday for eight booths here.

Over 6,000 voters have been given another chance to re-exercise their democratic rights following a report of irregularities in these polling booths including four in Nathamedu, two each in Jolliputhur and T.Ayyampatti villages.

The district administration had made elaborate security arrangements by deploying 566 police men, 24 CRPF jawans and check posts installed at nine places to ensure peace during polling.

Besides, three CCTV cameras were installed in each booth. 35 others have been installed between 100 meter and 200 meter distance outside the polling booth to monitor the people's movement and other issues if any.

As many as 58 staff including eight micro observers, had been deployed for conducting the polls and they were trained to avoid the April 18 fiasco.

The EC ordered for re-polls following report that highlighted the alleged malpractices committed by supporters of a particular political party during the polls held on Aril 18 for the Dharmapuri parliament constituency and Pappireddipattai assembly segment.

S. Senthil Kumar, a DMK candidate is fielded against the sitting MP and the former union minister of health Dr Anbumani Ramadoss re-contesting from here on PMK ticket.

For the by-polls to the Pappireddipattai assembly constituency, A. Govindasamy of AIADMK faces the election against his DMK rival, A. Mani.