Srirangam bypoll votes counting tomorrow

TIRUCHIRAPALLI: Electoral authorities have made elaborate arrangements for counting of votes tomorrow for the prestigious Srirangam Assembly constituency, where bypoll was held on February 13.

An estimated 81.83 per cent of the 2.70 lakh electorate exercised their franchise in the bye-election.

This is the fifth bye-election held since 2011 after AIADMK came to power and the ruling party led by its supremo J Jayalalithaa has won all four.

Bypoll was held in the assembly constituencies of Tiruchi West, Sanakarankoil, Pudukottai, and Alandur earlier.

The bypoll held for Srirangam seat has turned out to be a high stake election for AIADMK as it has pumped all its efforts to retain it for the reason that it was held by the party's General Secretary Jayalalithaa.

The by-election was necessitated following automatic disqualification earned by Jayalalithaa on her conviction in the Rs 66.56 crore disproportionate asset case by a Bangalore court in September last year.

S Valarmathi of AIADMK and N Anand are among 29 aspirants who are vying to enter the Tamil Nadu state Assembly through this bypoll.

Police have thrown a tight security cover around the counting centre.