CHENNAI: The West and North suburbs of the city witnessed brisk polling on Wednesday and bore a stark contrast to the turnout in the city. The police personnel posted on security detail had a tough day — regulating the serpentine queue of voters and shooing away party workers who attempted to campaign inside many polling centres.In Avadi, the police were seen chasing away crowds gathered at a polling centre after a candidate allegedly brought his men inside the centre and indulged in a last minute campaign near a queue of waiting voters.However, no major incidents of violence were reported. Inspector General of Police Sunil Kumar Singh, who was on his rounds as the election process went on, said, “We have enough police personnel. The arrangements are such that a minimum of 25 police personnel can turn up in case violence breaks out in any of the areas.”Though there were reports of voting machines malfunctioning in some booths in Avadi, the voters did not seem perturbed.At a particular booth in the area, following a fault in an EVM, voters were given additional time after 5 pm, said police sources.While booths in Avadi Tank Factory witnessed a decent turnout of factory workers from the North Indian community, a large group of Narikaruvas exercised their franchise at a booth in Thirumullaivoyal.As per officials, while Puzhal panchayat union recorded 88 per cent polling, the percentages recorded in other areas where Naravarikuppam town panchayat- 80 per cent, Avadi- 64 per cent, Thiruverkadu- 78 per cent, Poonamallee- 76 per cent and Poonamallee panchayat union -83 per cent.
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