<span style="color: black;">Polling for the Second Phase of Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Elections in 28 districts is progressing smoothly. It began at 7 a.m. Arrangements have been made in six thousand 652 Polling Booths following COVID protocols. By-elections to fill up the vacancies in a few rural bodies in other districts are also being held today. The last one hour will be reserved for COVID-19 patients.<br />''According to the State Election Commission, more than 30 percent of voting has been registered till 12 noon.<br />''<br />''The Second Phase of Polling for Panchayats and Panchayat Unions are progressing smoothly. People in rural areas are exercising their franchise with full enthusiasm. Web cameras are being used to monitor sensitive polling booths. Authorities are supervising the Standard Operating Procedure of physical distancing, thermal check and use of hand sanitisers in the polling booths. More than one lakh government employees are being posted for the electoral duties. The First Phase of polls in the newly formed nine districts held on the 6th of this month recorded 74.37 per cent voting. Counting of votes will be taken up on the 12th.</span><br />