This story is from March 19, 2019

EC extends polling time in Tamil Nadu by an hour

With the polling day in Tamil Nadu scheduled mid-summer, the Election Commission has extended the voting time across the state by an hour.
EC extends polling time in Tamil Nadu by an hour
Picture used for representational purpose only
CHENNAI: With the polling day in Tamil Nadu scheduled mid-summer, the Election Commission has extended the voting time across the state by an hour. In Madurai, where there has been a demand from political parties to re-schedule the polls in view of 'Chithirai' festival, voting has been extended by two more hours. "Polling on April 18 will commence at 7am across TN and will go on till 6pm except Madurai where it has been extended till 8pm," state chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo said.

Not unusual for polling time to be extended: CEO
“It is not unusual for election officers to increase voting hours in some states based on the prevailing season and weather. Since it is summer here, the polling hours will be increased by one hour to enable people to come and vote during the evening,” said Sahoo.
In the case of Madurai, a case had been filed in the Madras high court seeking to postpone elections in view of the Chithirai festival for which devotees pour in from across the state. On April 18, the deity Azhagar is taken in a procession into the Vaigai river for a ceremonial bath.
The apprehension expressed was that a large number of devotees from neighbouring districts participate in the festival and the voter turnout at polling booths may go down. “A report from the Madurai collector on the issue was forwarded to the Election Commission based on which a decision was made to extend the polling time by two hours in Madurai constituency,” said Sahoo.
Later in the evening, the CEO convened a meeting of collectors and SPs to discuss steps taken to implement the model code of conduct. Nearly 67,000 police personnel are to be involved in election work in the state. Meanwhile, the EC’s flying squads have been vigilant. “So far ₹6.77 crore in cash has been seized by static and flying squads. We have asked the squads to check vehicles on national and state highways as well as district and village roads to ensure there is no violation of the model code,” the CEO said. The EC has filed 16 FIRs relating to cash seizures.
So far 2,111 people have been taken into preventive custody. “Three expenditure observers have arrived in Tamil Nadu and they have been sent to Erode and Tenkasi constituencies. Each constituency will have one or more observers. Once the nominations end, all observers will be deployed in the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
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