Counting for Tamil Nadu local body elections is under way across the 315 centres amid tight security. The DMK has registered a big win in Sathankulam, Paramathi and Nainarkoil areas winning Panchayat Union Ward Member seats. The ruling AIADMK’s candidates have won the post of Panchayat Union Ward Member in Karur district and the post of Panchayat Union Ward Member in ward 5 of Aravakurichi panchayat town in the district. Meanwhile, a candidate who had contested for the post of panchayat leader in the panchayat town of Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district passed away on Thursday morning after suffering a heart attack. In another tragic news, a police constable on duty outside a counting station in Tiruvannamalai district also died due to cardiac arrest today. Polling for 313 panchayats in Tamil Nadu were held in two phases on December 27 and 30. According to the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC), while the first phase witnessed 76.19 per cent voter turnout and the second phase saw 77.73 per cent voting. Over 2.31 lakh candidates contested the local body polls for 91,975 posts such as Gram Panchayat Ward member posts, Gram Panchayat President posts, Panchayat Union ward member posts and District Panchayat Union Ward member.
