Security ramped up as Tamil Nadu goes to polls; battle for 234 seats

CHENNAI: As governmental parties went soundless connected Wednesday aft the month-long campaign, the Election Commission went into precocious gear, giving the last propulsion to guarantee creaseless polling crossed Tamil Nadu connected Thursday.Electronic voting machines were dispatched to polling stations nether choky security, portion flying squads stepped up vigil to forestall last-minute currency distribution. Chief electoral serviceman Archana Patnaik said 300 companies of paramilitary forces and much than 83,800 constabulary unit person been deployed to defender polling stations statewide.

EC officials undertook a 65km uphill travel from Theni to determination ballot units to a distant polling booth astatine Vellimalai Estate successful Varusanadu nether the Andipatti assembly segment, catering to conscionable 5 voters.

For the Oothukadu polling presumption successful Bodinayakanur, which has 307 voters but nary motorable access, EVMs were carried connected horseback done forests.Meanwhile, transport hubs saw dense crowds arsenic voters travelled backmost to their autochthonal places to formed votes. Several voters besides arrived from overseas to enactment successful the predetermination process. Delegates from aggregate countries besides visited Chennai nether the planetary predetermination visitors programme to survey the polling process.