The ruling DMK was leading in early trends in the panchayat union ward member posts as counting of votes for rural local bodies began at 22 centers in Kallakurichi and Villupuram districts on Tuesday.
In Kallakurichi district, out of the total 180 posts of panchayat union ward members, the DMK won 31 posts, while its rival AIADMK won two. DMK’s ally CPI(M) had won one post. The DMK also won two seats out of the total 19 seats for the post of Zilla Panchayat ward members, the results of which were declared at 8.30 pm, with the counting of votes for the posts of gram panchayat president and gram panchayat wards still underway.
In Villupuram district, the DMK was leading in 24 of the total 293 panchayat union ward posts, while the AIADMK won two posts. A total of 391 candidates were elected unopposed for various posts. 22 candidates were selected without any competition for the post of Ward Members of Gram Panchayat and for the post of President of Gram Panchayat.
Polling was held in two phases on October 6 and 9 in 24 panchayat unions – 11 in Kallakurichi district and 13 in Villupuram district. Voter turnout was 82.25% (Kallakurichi) and 83.66% (Villupuram) in the first phase of elections. In the second phase, Kallakurichi registered 82.59% while Villupuram registered 85.31%.
In Cuddalore district, the DMK won all the five panchayat union ward member posts that were lying vacant.
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