In Tamil Nadu, the byelection of Erode East Assembly constituency began at seven am this morning. A total of 77 candidates are in the fray. Voters will be exercising their franchise till six in the evening in a total of 238 booths. Votes will be counted on the 2nd of March.<br />'' <br />'' Over 2000 police and para military personnel have been deployed to conduct the polls in a peaceful manner.<br />'' <br />'' The vacancy in the constituency arose due to the demise of Thirumagan Everaa, the son of the veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister EVKS Elangovan.<br />'' <br />''The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance has fielded EVKS Elangovan. AIADMK  has fielded K.S.Thennarasu, a senior party member who was elected to the Assembly twice from the constituency.