Tamil Nadu Local Body Polls: Close Battle Between DMK, AIADMK As Counting To Continue On Day 2

The DMK and the ruling AIADMK were in a neck and neck race in the Tamil Nadu local body polls. As per the latests trends, DMK was slightly in the lead in Dsitrict Panchayat Ward Members polls while AIADMK led in the battle for seats for Panchayat Union Ward Membes.

In the District Panchayat polls, DMK was leading on 172 while AIADMK was leading on 178 seats. In the Panchayat union polls, DMK was ahead in 1580 while AIADMK was leading in 1312 with others ahead in 114 seats, according to local media reports.

Counting for the rural local body polls has been extended to Friday. The results for a total of 5,090 ward member seats are to be announced.

Earlier,  DMK president M.K. Stalin alleged that declaration of results were being withheld in places where the DMK had won.

However, State Election Commissioner R. Palaniswamy said the counting process for the rural local body polls was being conducted in a transparent, smooth and unbiased manner and there is no ‘wanton delay’.

Palaniswami also said the SEC was functioning in a transparent and unbiased manner. “There is no chance of deliberately slowing down the counting process. Every ballot is taken out and shown to the agents, and is opened in the presence of every one. So, there is no chance of acting for or against any party,” he said.

The election, which had been held in two phases on December 27 and 30 was conducted in rural Tamil Nadu to elect 655 district ward panchayat members, 6,471 panchayat union ward members, 12,524 village panchayat presidents, and 99,324 village panchayat ward members.

Phase 1 was held in 27 districts of the State on December 27 and saw a voter turnout of 76.19 percent while Phase 2, which was held on December 30 saw a voter turnout of 61.45 percent until 3 pm.