In Pudducherry, over 45 percent of the electorate exercised their franchise in the first four hours of polling in the bye-election to the Indiranagar Assembly constituency.

Polling began on a brisk note right from the morning and there has been no let up in the enthusiasm as people lined up before polling booths to cast their votes.

Two companies of the CISF along with the local police have been deployed at the 28 polling stations to ensure peaceful conduct of the by-poll.
7 candidates including contestant from the ruling NR congress, AIADMK and Congress are in the fray in this crucial poll.

AIR correspondent reports that the by-election was necessitated as the resignation of Chief Minister who had contested in two seats during the Assembly election held in April this year.

The ruling NR Congress needs to win this by-election to ensure a majority in the 30 member Assembly.

In the by-polls of Tiruchirapalli West Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, thirty one per cent of voters exercised their franchise till noon. High security is being provided at all the 240 polling booths and being monitored through web cameras by the Election Commission.

Sixteen candidates including DMK’s K N Nehru and AIADMK’s Paramjothi are in the electoral fray.

The votes will be counted on October 20 and the result will be announced on the same day.

The seat had fallen vacant as the sitting MLA and State Environment Minister Mariampichai died in a road accident near Padalur on May 23.
In Andhra Pradesh, the polling for Banswada Assembly bye election in Nizamabad district is progressing peacefully so far amidst tight security arrangements.

About 20 percent votes were polled during the first two hours of polling.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi Candidate P Srinivasa Reddy cast his vote at his native village Pocharam while Congress candidate Srinivasa Gowd utilized his voting right at Chandur during the first hour.

About one lakh 60 thousand voters including 82 thousand women are expected to exercise their franchise at 186 polling centers.

The polling will continue till 5 PM and the counting will take place on the 17th of this month.

AIR reporter says officials are continuously monitoring poll process through web casting.