Single phase polling begins in TN

As estimated 5.99 crore electorate are expected to exercise their franchise as single phase polling for the Lok Sabha and Assembly byelections began in Tamil Nadu at 7 am today. Though there were 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State, elections are being held only for 38 seats after the Election Commission (EC) rescinded the polling for the Vellore seat following seizure of large amount of cash.

Simultaneous polling also commenced for the 18 of 22 vacant Assembly seats in the state, that would decide the fortunes of the ruling AIADMK, whose stability hinges on the outcomeof the polls. The bypoll for the remaining four seats would be held on May 19.