Madurantakam, Dharapuram go to polls for second time in six months
Madurantakam (SC) in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram (SC) in Tiruppur district will vote on Tuesday in Assembly byelections, marking the second visit to the polls for both constituencies in six months. Polling will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with 285 polling stations in Madurantakam and 320 in Dharapuram set to receive voters.
Madurantakam: Electorate, candidates and security
More than 2.13 lakh voters are eligible to vote in Madurantakam, including 1.08 lakh women. The byelection was necessitated by the resignation of AIADMK MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, who is now contesting as the TVK candidate. The DMK has fielded former Egmore MLA I. Paranthamen, while the AIADMK has nominated S. Kanitha Sampath, who previously won the seat in 2011. The CPI(M), while extending outside support to the TVK-led government, is contesting independently with P. Suganthi of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front.
Chengalpattu Collector M. Veerappan said polling materials and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were dispatched to all 285 stations on Monday, with a mock poll scheduled at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Sixty polling stations have been identified as vulnerable, and the Election Commission has deployed a micro-observer to each station. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel have been stationed at 60 locations across the constituency to bolster security.
Madurantakam: Voter facilitation and surveillance
Authorities reported seizures of cash, gold, freebies including saris and towels, and liquor bottles worth a total of Rs 2.53 crore up to Monday as part of enforcement measures. All 167 polling locations will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities, alongside shade structures (pandals) and drinking water facilities. Each polling station will feature live web streaming via two cameras—one inside the station and another positioned to monitor the queue outside. Of 931 postal ballots issued to persons with disabilities and electors aged above 80, officials had received 893 by Monday.
Dharapuram: Polling arrangements and electorate
In Dharapuram, 320 polling stations have been arranged across 186 centres. The constituency has 2,23,306 registered voters: 1,07,285 men, 1,16,013 women, and 27 service voters. Voter information slips have been distributed to 2,21,365 electors, covering 99.13% of the roll. Of 1,236 applications for home voting from voters aged above 85 and persons with disabilities exceeding 40%, 1,201 have already cast their ballots through postal voting. A total of 1,536 polling personnel have been deployed.
Dharapuram: Security, observers and EVM readiness
Security and surveillance have been tightened for the byelection, with the Election Commission deploying General, Expenditure, and Police Observers. Eighteen polling stations have been identified as vulnerable across nine locations; these will be monitored via CCTV, supplemented by additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and micro-observers. Officials said 384 EVMs have been prepared with the symbols and photographs of all contesting candidates.
Campaigning ended, enforcement stepped up
Campaigning concluded at 6 p.m. on Sunday, after which non-voters from outside the constituency who had come to campaign were required to leave. Police have been checking hotels, marriage halls, and other accommodations, and have set up checkposts along constituency borders to enforce the rules and deter violations.
Counting and strongroom arrangements
Following polling, EVMs and election records from Dharapuram will be moved to the strongroom at LRG Government Arts and Science College in Tiruppur. The strongroom and counting centre will be under a three-tier security arrangement involving the local police, State Armed Police, and the CISF. Counting is scheduled for October 9 at the same college, with 14 tables designated for counting EVM votes and two for postal ballots.
Public holiday and paid leave directive
The State government has declared a public holiday in both constituencies on Tuesday for the byelection. In an order, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar directed that employees working in Chengalpattu, Tiruppur, and neighbouring districts, but registered as voters in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, should also be granted a paid holiday to vote.
Significance
Tuesday’s byelections will test voter sentiment in two reserved constituencies with heightened security and extensive voter facilitation measures in place. With elaborate arrangements—from web streaming at every station in Madurantakam to reinforced monitoring and observer deployment in Dharapuram—authorities aim to ensure a smooth and transparent polling process ahead of the October 9 count.
