PUDUCHERRY: The state election commission (SEC) will hold polls to local bodies in the Union territory of Puducherry in three phases on October 21, 25 and 28, said state election commissioner Roy P Thomas.
The terms of 1,149 representatives elected to five municipalities and 10 commune panchayats in 2006 expired in June 2011. The polls, not held since then, are being held now following a direction from the Supreme Court in April this year. “For the first time, the multipost electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in civic polls in the Union territory. The EVMs are ready and will be despatched to the returning officers,” said Thomas while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
He said the SEC will hold polls to three municipalities — Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam — and five commune panchayats in Karaikal — Kottucherry, Nedungadu, Neravy, Thirumalairayanpattinam and Thirunallur — in the first phase on October 21. Election to municipalities Puducherry and Oulgaret will be in the second phase on October 25 and that to five commune panchayats in Puducherry — Ariyankuppam, Bahour, Mannadipet, Nettapakkam and Villianur will be in the third phase on October 28.
The filing of nominations will be from September 30 to October 15. There are 10,03,256 voters. Polling will be held from 7am to 6pm with the last one hour (5pm to 6pm) for Covid-19 patients and suspected patients. The counting of votes will be done on October 31 in seven counting centres - four in Puducherry and one each in Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
Puducherry set to get its first BJP MP
The Union territory of Puducherry is all set to get its first BJP MP. The BJP central office announced former MLA (nominated) and party Puducherry unit treasurer S Selvaganapathy as the candidate for the territory’s lone Rajya Sabha seat. Selvaganapathy filed his nomination paper in the presence of chief minister N Rangasamy, home minister A Namassivayam, BJP MLAs and BJP in-charge for Puducherry Nirmal Kumar Surana before Puducherry legislative assembly secretary R Mounissamy, who is the returning officer. Opposition parties DMK and Congress did not field any candidate for the seat
