Synopsis
The Erode East by-elections have commenced under strict security, with DMK's V.C. Chandhirakumar leading in early vote counts. A total of 600 police personnel and CISF units are deployed to ensure safety during the counting process.Key Takeaways
- Strong security measures implemented during counting.
- DMK candidate leads in early trends.
- 46 candidates contested in the bypoll.
- Voter turnout recorded at 67.97 percent.
- Counting process involves multiple rounds and strict supervision.
Chennai, Feb 8 (NationPress) Strict security measures are in effect in Erode East as the vote counting began at the Government College of Engineering, Erode on Saturday.
Erode District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara informed reporters, “For safety precautions, 600 police personnel have been stationed at the counting center, alongside a unit of the CISF. Furthermore, the entire area is monitored by CCTV, with 76 cameras installed, including one at every counting table.”
According to officials from the Election Commission, the counting of postal ballots commenced at 8 a.m., while the counting of EVM votes began at 8:30 a.m.
As of now, DMK candidate V.C. Chandhirakumar has received 7,961 votes, while NTK candidate M.K. Seethalakshmi has garnered 1,081 votes.
The counting procedure will unfold over 17 rounds across 15 tables. Each table is overseen by a counting supervisor, a counting assistant, and a micro observer, all selected through a random process.
Once the results are announced, the EVMs will be moved to a secure room at the RDO office.
A total of 246 voters—comprising individuals over 85 years old, those with disabilities, military personnel, and those under preventive detention—cast their votes using the postal ballot system.
In total, 46 candidates participated in the bypoll, which evolved into a two-way contest between the DMK’s V.C. Chandhirakumar and NTK’s M.K. Seethalakshmi.
The by-election achieved a voter turnout of 67.97 percent, with 1,54,657 individuals exercising their right to vote.
This bye-election was necessitated by the passing of veteran Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan, who had won the seat in the 2023 bypoll following the unexpected death of his son, Thirumahan Everaa, from a heart attack on January 4, 2023.
In the 2023 bypoll, Elangovan won by a margin of 66,233 votes, defeating AIADMK’s K.S. Thenarassu, while NTK candidate Menaka Navaneethan received 10,827 votes.
The 2024 Erode East bypoll, conducted on February 5, witnessed DMK’s V.C. Chandhirakumar face off against NTK’s M.K. Seethalakshmi.
According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout was reported at 65 percent.
