<span style="color: #222222;">In Tamil Nadu, the opposition DMK-led front is having a marginal lead over the ruling AIADMK-led coalition in the rural local bodies elections. The counting of votes that began yesterday morning is still continuing. The elections were held in two phases using ballot papers in December end.  <br />'' <br />'' Out of the 5,090 Panchayat Union Councilors posts, the DMK-led front has won 2,338 seats and the AIADMK-alliance 2,185 seats when reports last came in. Others including independents have captured 444 seats. For the 515 Zilla Parishad Member positions, the DMK-alliance has won 270 seats while AIADMK-led front has grabbed 242 seats.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has informed the Madras High Court that, the counting process may go on till this evening in some places. The DMK approached the court saying in many places, announcements of the results are being deliberately delayed. Refusing the allegations, the state poll panel lawyer said, all norms are being followed in the counting and the whole process is being video-graphed. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The court asked the commission to file its detailed reply later in the day today. The counting began at 8 a.m. at 315 Counting Centres across 27 districts yesterday. Of the nearly 92,000 posts for which elections were announced, 73,405 posts were contested and others were elected unopposed.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' The rural local bodies elections have been held after a long gap of three years in the state. Positions like Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Union Councilors are elected on political party symbols while Village Panchayat President and Ward Member posts are contested on a non-political basis. The Presidents of Panchayat Unions and Zilla Parishads will be elected by the members themselves in an indirect election later.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' The elections in nine more districts have been kept in abeyance as they have been formed only recently where the delineation exercise is yet to be completed. Urban civic polls are expected to be announced by the state poll panel very soon.</span>