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.

Brisk polling has been recorded for the by-election in the Tiruchirapalli West Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.

In the first two hours of polling, more than fifteen per cent voters have exercised their franchise.

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

There are two lakh eight thousand four hundred and ninety one voters in the constituency. The votes will be counted on the 20th of this month and the result will be announced the same day.

The seat fell 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.