Chennai: The campaign which is happening on a feverish pitch in local bodies which will undergo polling on 6 October is set to end today evening. Hence, last minute efforts are being made by leaders, candidates and their supporters to woo voters.
Door to door canvassing is being done and candidates are offering promises to upgrade infrastructure besides addressing the civic problems being faced by people. Unlike the past, senior leaders have hit the campaign trial for local body polls this time.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission is making all arrangements to ensure free and fair polls. The civic polls to rural local bodies in nine districts will be held on 6 and 9 October in two phases. A team led by State Election Commissioner V Palanikumar is supervising the arrangements.
The State government has declared a public holiday in rural local bodies in nine districts where ordinary elections are scheduled to be held on 6 and 9 October. Eections are scheduled in Chengalpattu, Kallakurichi, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tirupattur, Vellore and Villupuram districts.
The nine districts have a total of 76,59,720 electorates. Of them, 37,77,524 are men and 38,81,361 are women while 835 are trans persons, the commissioner said. According to TNSEC sources, all the political parties have welcomed the decision to hold the polls from 7 am to 6 pm.
As far as the DMK is concerned Chief Minister M K Stalin is directly overseeing the poll works.
The party would want to ensure that it continues to enjoy the support of the people after the recent win in the Assembly elections. DMK continues its alliance with the parties which were part of its coalition for the Assembly polls.
On the other hand AIADMK wants to regain its support and will be looking to get a hold in the local body elections. BJP continues to be part of the alliance, however PMK has walked out.Ā AIADMK joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami held meetings with top office-bearers and party functionaries on election strategies.
Vijayakanthās DMDK and Kamal Haasanās Makkal Needhi Maiam will be contesting alone in the polls.