After a record voter turnout of 77.68 percent on Thursday, the counting of votes for the high-profile RK Nagar Assembly seat will take place on Sunday. The results are expected to be out by afternoon that day, PTI reported.
TTV Dinakaran seems set for a big win in the by-election to RK Nagar assembly seat in Tamil Nadu. Thanking voters, the sidelined AIADMK leader has vowed to bring down the EPS-OPS government in the state “within three months”.
Voting for the RK Nagar bypoll passed off peacefully amid tight security. Election officials in Chennai said there may be some variation in the figure after taking into consideration the polling percentage at some booths where voting went on beyond 5 pm. The voter turnout is higher than the 68 percent recorded in the 2016 Assembly election,according to officials.
RK Nagar, represented twice by Jayalalithaa, has an electorate of 2,28,234, comprising 1,10,903 men, 1,17,232 women and 99 transgenders.
Election officials said 79.21 percent of women voters exercised their franchise while 75.92 percent of men cast their votes.
The bypoll is being seen as an acid test for the Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and his deputy O Panneeerselvam-led ruling AIADMK which is facing a strong challenge from Dhinakaran and an aggressive DMK.
The DMK is putting up a tough fight to wrest the seat after a hiatus of over two decades.
Of the 59 candidates in the fray, the fight is essentially triangular with the key contenders being ruling AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan, main opposition DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh and Dhinakaran, contesting as an independent.
The ruling AIADMK got back its Two Leaves election symbol back following merger of factions led by Palaniswami and former rebel O Panneerselvam.
The run up to the bypoll saw political parties and candidates holding as many as 152 public meetings and taking out 605 processions with the campaigning ending on 19 December.
Representational image. Reuters
The 2015 RK Nagar bypoll in which Jayalalithaa was elected by a huge margin of 1.5 lakh votes for the first time in this segment had witnessed a record 75 percent turnout.
Voting at 258 polling stations passed off peacefully with 2500 state police personnel, 15 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and 1638 election officers manning the poll process.
Serpentine queues were witnessed in booth after booth, right from 8 am when voting began with women outnumbering men in several of them.
A large number of people were awaiting their turn to vote even at the scheduled close of voting at five pm.
All those who were present inside the polling stations ahead of the 5 pm deadline were given tokens by officials to ensure that they exercised their franchise.
There were, however, sporadic complaints of snag in EVMs, and consequential delay.
Some voters complained that their names were deleted, othes claimed their names were struck off the rolls wrongly categorising them as "dead."
Gun-toting Central Armed Police Force personnel in their trademark green uniforms were stationed at all the polling stations and across the 45 checkposts in and around the RK Nagar constituency.
Senior poll officials including the district election Officer D Karthikeyan inspected the polling stations.
Several dozens of flying squad teams, static surveillance teams and video surveillance teams were deployed in the constituency.
Election authorities made elaborate arrangements to ensure both hassle free environs for voters and measures for free and fair polling with nine observers, 307 micro-observers and 258 web cameras to monitor the poll process.
Chennai Corporation personnel drafted for poll duty took differently-abled persons inside the polling stations using wheel-chairs.
In booths that had a significantly high number of voters, a medical team comprising doctors, and paramedics were stationed.
'Pandals' were put up, and help desks helped people find the right booth to vote. Amenities like drinking water, and toilets were also in place.
With inputs from PTI
Published Date: Dec 24, 2017 02:04 pm | Updated Date: Dec 24, 2017 02:06 pm
Highlights
After eight rounds of counting...
After the eighth round, TTV Dinakaran is leading with 39,548 votes in RK Nagar by-election, followed by AIADMK's Madhusudhanan who has 19,525 votes and DMK's Maruthu Ganesh, who has 10,292 votes.
Inputs from News18
TTV Dhinakaran reaches Amma memorial
Rajdeep Sardesai tweets
TTV Dhinakaran all set to reach Amma memorial
TTV makes light of two leaves symbol
TTV Dhinakaran also sought to make light of the E Palaniswami camp winning the Two Leaves symbol after both camps staked claim for it before the Election Commission.
"During my recent visits to various parts of Tamil Nadu such as Avinashi (Tirupur) and Arumanai (Kanyakumari), people said the pressure cooker (his poll symbol at RK Nagar) will win. They want a change of this regime," he said.
PTI
Current leads
TTV Dinakaran (Independent): 30,457
E Madhusudhanan (AIADMK): 15,949
Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 8,364
Inputs from News18
AIADMK supporter speaks
S Renukadevi has set up shop outside TTV Dhinakaran's home in Adyar. She says she earlier had a shop outside the AIADMK office which was closed when Dhinakaran was sent to jail.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
Visuals from outside Dhinakaran's residence
Mediapersons and supporters have started gathering outside TTV Dhinakaran's house in Adyar to greet him on his arrival.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
TTV invokes MGR on his 30th death anniversary
Claiming victory, Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran said "this is the best gift for the 1.5 crore party supporters" on the 30th death anniversary of party founder, the late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, fondly addressed as MGR.
PTI
All cadres are with me, says Dhinakaran
Supporters thronging to Chennai from far away locations
Sundaram E, a teacher from Thirunalveli and TTV supporter has come to the counting centre to witness the results and says, "TTV Dhinakaran is a leader who can pull supporters by his side. In politics, this trend is a upward sign for him. For the opponent, it’s a downward trend. He will do good to the people of this constituency (RK Nagar) as an independent candidate."
Video and Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
I am true heir of Jaya, says Dhinakaran
Speaking to reporters outside the Chennai airport, Dhinakaran hinted that he is the true heir of Jayalalithaa and MG Ramachandran's legacy. He also told reporters that he will snatch away the "two leaves" symbol from the AIADMK.
Dhinakaran invokes Amma while thanking voters
AIADMK supporters hopeful of a win
AIADMK supporters, who are gathered at the counting centre are hopeful of winning and say the celebrations from the TTV camp are premature. "There are 15-odd rounds to go and the two-leaf will definitely win,"a supporter said.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
TTV Dhinakaran reaches Chennai
As per a News18 report, TTV Dinakaran has reached Chennai and will now travel straight to the Amma memorial in Marina Beach. According to Times Now, he is at the VVIP lounge of the Chennai airport. Notably, today is also the 30th death anniversary of MG Ramachandran, the founder of AIADMK.
Riot police outside counting centre
Riot police personnel have been deployed in heavy numbers outside the counting centre as a precautionary measure, with the presence of TTV and AIADMK supporters increasing at the counting centre.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
'Will bring down government in three months'
TTV.Dinakaran on Sunday said the current Tamil Nadu government will fall in three months time. Speaking to reporters at the Madurai airport, Dinakaran predicted that the government headed by Chief Minister K.Palaniswami will fall in three months time. He said the people in RK Nagar have reflected the views of the Tamil Nadu's populace.
IANS
WATCH: TTV Dhinkaran thanks people of RK Nagar
Huge crowd gathers outside the counting centre
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 Reporters
WATCH: Visuals of ruckus inside counting centre
Round 4 update
Independent candidate — TTV Dhinakaran -20292 votes (53.14%)
AIADMK — Madhusudhanan - 9672 votes (25.302%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh - 5032 votes (13.17%)
BJP — K Nagarakan - 318 votes
NOTA gets more vote than BJP
TTV supporters await his arrival at Chennai airport
12 pm update
As per the fourth round of counting, TTV Dhinakaran has garnered over 20,000 votes. On the other hand, AIADMK and DMK candidates are in the second and third position.
Situation under control inside counting centre
A senior AlADMK party leader addressed supporters outside the counting centre and asked them to maintain quiet and calm.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 Reporters
Dhinakaran's itinerary today
After reaching Chennai, TTV Dhinakaran will directly go to Amma (Jayalalithaa) memorial in Marina Beach, say news reports.
Counting was disrupted for a while following AIADMK-TTV spar
Counting of votes for the RK Nagar bypoll suffered a temporary disruption following an alleged altercation between supporters of independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran and AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan.
A senior electoral official said "altercation caused disruption," even as the two rival sides charged each other with roughing up counting agents.
Another official said police restored peace and that the second round of counting was on. "Police restored peace, Nothing alarming. Compilation of the second round going on," he said.
PTI
Update after 3 rounds of counting
TTV Dhinakaran (Independent): 15868
Madhusudhanan (AIADMK): 7033
Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 3691
K Nagarajan (DMK): 220
NOTA: 333
Total votes in round 1 and 2 and 3: 28,885
Meanwhile... many namesakes in poll race!
Women supporters of TTV Dhinakaran chanting slogans outside counting centre
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 reporters
BJP cries foul over results
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan has claimed that the counting trends highlight the fact that cash-for-votes was rampant in the by-election, The Hindu reports.
WATCH: TTV faction supporters celebrate
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
Lone female candidate lagging in race
P Puspa, the lone female candidate in the fray has polled merely 26 votes ( 0.13 percent of the total votes), according to the EC report.
Input from 101reporters
11 am update
Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran is still leading by a margin of over 8,000 votes over his nearest rival, E Madhusudhanan.
Results after 2nd round
TTV Dhinakaran (Independent): 10421
Madhusudhanan (AIADMK) : 4521
Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 2324
K Nagarajan (BJP): 117
NOTA: 208
Official EC data
Security beefed up outside counting center; riot control police assembling
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
18 election observers for the bypoll
While there are 18 micro observers drawn from Central government services, each of the 14 counting tables will be monitored by one of them, according to election authorities. The entire counting process is being videographed and arrangements have been made to announce the results after conclusion of counting of each round.
PTI
Will bring down the government, vows TTV
Speaking to reporters outside the Madurai Airport, Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran has vowed to overthrow the "anti-people" government of E Palaniswamy and O Panneerselvam within the next three months.
Dhinakaran thankful to people of RK Nagar
Speaking at the Madurai Airport, TTV Dhinakaran thanked the people of RK Nagar for voting him. "Tamil Nadu people have helped us win. I am thankful to them I am saying this from the land of the Madurai Meenakshi."
He said that the mandate suggested that the people have rejected an anti-people government. "People know that only we can fulfill their aspirations," he said.
Dhinakaran added that it is not about who has the two leaves symbol but about who actually has the support of the cadres.
Subramanian Swamy says two AIADMK faction could merge before 2019 polls
Dhinakaran will dissolve Assembly, say supporters
"Our life is for TTV Dhinakaran, our life is for Chinnamma (Sasikala)", shout supporters. They say TTV Dhinakaran will dissolve the current government.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 Reporters
Dhinakaran still leading; NOTA gets more votes than BJP
TTV Dinakaran (Independent): 10421
E Madhusudhanan (AIADMK) : 4520
M Ganesh (DMK): 2323
Naam Tamizhar Katchi: 760
K Nagarajan (BJP): 191
NOTA: 459
News18
Round 3 of the counting begins
Entire counting process being videographed
According to Financial Express, the entire counting process is being videographed and arrangements have been made to announce the results after conclusion of counting of each round.
Celebrations begin in TTV Dhinakaran camp
Naam Tamizhar Katchi candidate gets only 258 votes so far
Naam Tamizhar Katchi party workers outside counting center. TVK Nagar district leader Immanuel A (in yellow) says they are optimistic about coming 2nd and 3rd. They campaigned honestly and have the support of the youth, who constitute more than 80 percent of the party volunteers, he said. K Kalaikottuthayam – Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate polled only 258 votes in the first round.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 reporters
NOTA gets more votes than BJP
NOTA has recorded more votes than than the BJP candidate K Nagaraj. (66). While NOTA has recorded 122 votes, K Nagaraj has secured only 66 votes so far.
10.15 am update
Leads: 10,391 — TTV Dhinakaran (Independent)
4520 — E Madhusudhanan (AIADMK)
2,323 — M Ganesh (DMK)
Jayalalithaa's 2015 bypoll win
The 2015 RK Nagar bypoll in which Jayalalithaa was elected by a huge margin of 1.5 lakh votes for the first time in this segment had witnessed a record 75 percent turnout.
PTI
Madhusudhanan confident of a win
"It might seem like someone is initially leading in a race but in the end, we will win," AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhanan told News18 Tamil Nadu.
BJP nowhere in the picture
With the first round of counting complete, BJP's RK Nagar candidate, K Nagarajan polled less than a percent of the total votes. (66 of the total 10,042 votes) .
101 Reporters
TTV supporters celebrate outside his residence
Situation under control now
According to reports, Chennai Police has restored peace. "Compilation of second round is going on, " D Karthikeyan, Chief Electoral Officer, said.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy. 101 reporters
Situation under control, says Chennai Police commissioner
Meanwhile. AIADMK workers have sought eviction of journalists from the counting centre in Queen Mary's College in Chennai as they are spreading information about the leads, reports News18 Tamil Nadu.
TTV Dhinakaran supporters start celebrating
Dhinakaran leads by over 7,000 votes
Ruckus inside counting centre
Visuals from CNN-News18 shows that AIADMK supporters are creating a ruckus inside the counting centre. Visuals show chairs and papers being thrown at Election Commission officials.TTV Dhinakaran supporters have also been attacked, claim reports. As a result, counting has been halted for temporarily.
Tight security at the counting centre
As many as 200 officials drawn from both Central and State government services have been deputed for the exercise. Tight security is in place with state and Central Armed Police Forces personnel providing multi-layered security.
DMK trailing at the third position
At the end of first round , TTV Dhinakaran leads by over 5300 votes
TTV Dhinakaran takes a massive lead
Dhinakaran is currently leading by 5399 votes, while the AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhanan has garnered only 2737 votes till now.
How the counting take place
"There are 258 booths, each of which will count 14 EVMs. 252 booths will be counted in 18 rounds and 6 booths will be counted in the last round, making 19 in total," Rajesh Lakhani, Chief Electoral Officer, told Firstpost.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters.
9 AM update
Independent candidate TTV Dinakaran is leading by 1891 votes. On the other hand, AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhanan is trailing, winning only 646 votes. DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh is trailing with just 360 votes.
LEADS: Dhinakaran leads by 1891 votes
WATCH: TTV and AIADMK supporters shout at each other in RK Nagar
Nivedita, 101 reporters
Visuals from MGR memorial
E Palaniswamy and O Panneerselvam together at the MGR memorial
Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and his deputy O Panneerselvam are together to pay tributes to late chief minister MG Ramachandran, on his 30th death anniversary. Along with them, there are other AIADMK cabinet ministers too.
Anti-social elements entering counting centre, says DMK
Madhavaram S Sudarsanam, DMK's District Secretary for North Chennai alleges that he saw certain "trouble-making and anti-social elements" entering the counting grounds in the morning and that the police were not stopping them.
101 Reporters
AIADMK leaders at the MGR memorial
TTV Dhinakaran leading
While TTV Dhinakaran is leading, AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhanan is trailing by over 350 votes.
Dhinakaran takes early lead
TTV Dinakaran is leading with around 600 votes in RK Nagar by-election, reports CNN-News18.
Visuals from inside the counting centre
DMK wins the lone postal vote
The DMK has won the lone postal ballot in RK Nagar bypoll. The focus now moves to the EVM votes. There will be 19 rounds of counting according as per a report in CNN-News18.
All rounds will be monitored through video
Visuals from the counting centre
People throng the MGR memorial early in the morning
As Tamil Nadu observes the 30th anniversary of its late chief minister MG Ramachandran, around 400 policemen have been deployed near the MGR memorial at Marina Beach.
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters.
Counting of votes begin
19 rounds of counting to take place
According to News18, there will be 19 rounds of voting. As only one postal vote was received, EVMs will be opened immediately.
Security beefed up at counting centre
Queen Mary's College is counting centre
Counting of votes for the RK Nagar bypoll will begin at 8 am at Queen Mary's College near Marina Beach.
101 Reporters
Counting to begin at 8 am
Triangular fight in RK Nagar
Of the 59 candidates in the fray, the fight is essentially triangular with the key contenders being ruling AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan, main opposition DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh and Dhinakaran, contesting as an independent.
The ruling AIADMK got back its Two Leaves election symbol back following merger of factions led by Palaniswami and former rebel O Panneerselvam.
Cauvery TV's survey showed TTV Dhinakaran as favourite
A local Tamil news channel showed TTV Dhinakaran as the clear favourite to succeed J Jayalalithaa as the representative of the RK Nagar constituency. ASs per the survey, 37 percent voters wanted him as the MLA, while only 26 percent of those surveyed wanted AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan.
Exit polls predict TTV Dhinakaran as clear winner, claims Subramanian Swamy
Other parties used corrupt practices, alleges BJP
Visuals from outside a counting centre
Bypoll a matter of prestige for the AIADMK
The bypoll is being seen as an acid test for the Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and his deputy O Panneeerselvam-led ruling AIADMK which is facing a strong challenge from sidelined leader TTV Dhinakaran and an aggressive DMK. The DMK is putting up a tough fight to wrest the seat after a hiatus of over two decades.
Counting of votes to begin at 8 am
Over 78 percent turnout on Thursday
A record voter turnout of 77.68 percent was registered in the RK Nagar Assembly constituency on Thursday. Election officials said 79.21 percent of women voters exercised their franchise while 75.92 percent of men cast their votes.
Counting of votes today
The counting of votes for the high-profile RK Nagar Assembly seat will take place on Sunday. The results are expected to be out by afternoon that day, PTI reported.
14:01 (IST)
After eight rounds of counting...
After the eighth round, TTV Dinakaran is leading with 39,548 votes in RK Nagar by-election, followed by AIADMK's Madhusudhanan who has 19,525 votes and DMK's Maruthu Ganesh, who has 10,292 votes.
Inputs from News18
13:54 (IST)
TTV Dhinakaran reaches Amma memorial
13:50 (IST)
Rajdeep Sardesai tweets
13:47 (IST)
TTV Dhinakaran all set to reach Amma memorial
13:44 (IST)
TTV makes light of two leaves symbol
TTV Dhinakaran also sought to make light of the E Palaniswami camp winning the Two Leaves symbol after both camps staked claim for it before the Election Commission.
"During my recent visits to various parts of Tamil Nadu such as Avinashi (Tirupur) and Arumanai (Kanyakumari), people said the pressure cooker (his poll symbol at RK Nagar) will win. They want a change of this regime," he said.
PTI
13:41 (IST)
Current leads
TTV Dinakaran (Independent): 30,457
E Madhusudhanan (AIADMK): 15,949
Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 8,364
Inputs from News18
13:39 (IST)
AIADMK supporter speaks
S Renukadevi has set up shop outside TTV Dhinakaran's home in Adyar. She says she earlier had a shop outside the AIADMK office which was closed when Dhinakaran was sent to jail.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
13:32 (IST)
Visuals from outside Dhinakaran's residence
Mediapersons and supporters have started gathering outside TTV Dhinakaran's house in Adyar to greet him on his arrival.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
13:27 (IST)
TTV invokes MGR on his 30th death anniversary
Claiming victory, Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran said "this is the best gift for the 1.5 crore party supporters" on the 30th death anniversary of party founder, the late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, fondly addressed as MGR.
PTI
13:25 (IST)
13:20 (IST)
13:12 (IST)
All cadres are with me, says Dhinakaran
13:09 (IST)
Supporters thronging to Chennai from far away locations
Sundaram E, a teacher from Thirunalveli and TTV supporter has come to the counting centre to witness the results and says, "TTV Dhinakaran is a leader who can pull supporters by his side. In politics, this trend is a upward sign for him. For the opponent, it’s a downward trend. He will do good to the people of this constituency (RK Nagar) as an independent candidate."
Video and Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
13:00 (IST)
12:57 (IST)
12:54 (IST)
I am true heir of Jaya, says Dhinakaran
Speaking to reporters outside the Chennai airport, Dhinakaran hinted that he is the true heir of Jayalalithaa and MG Ramachandran's legacy. He also told reporters that he will snatch away the "two leaves" symbol from the AIADMK.
12:51 (IST)
Dhinakaran invokes Amma while thanking voters
12:45 (IST)
AIADMK supporters hopeful of a win
AIADMK supporters, who are gathered at the counting centre are hopeful of winning and say the celebrations from the TTV camp are premature. "There are 15-odd rounds to go and the two-leaf will definitely win,"a supporter said.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
12:38 (IST)
TTV Dhinakaran reaches Chennai
As per a News18 report, TTV Dinakaran has reached Chennai and will now travel straight to the Amma memorial in Marina Beach. According to Times Now, he is at the VVIP lounge of the Chennai airport. Notably, today is also the 30th death anniversary of MG Ramachandran, the founder of AIADMK.
12:35 (IST)
Riot police outside counting centre
Riot police personnel have been deployed in heavy numbers outside the counting centre as a precautionary measure, with the presence of TTV and AIADMK supporters increasing at the counting centre.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
12:33 (IST)
'Will bring down government in three months'
TTV.Dinakaran on Sunday said the current Tamil Nadu government will fall in three months time. Speaking to reporters at the Madurai airport, Dinakaran predicted that the government headed by Chief Minister K.Palaniswami will fall in three months time. He said the people in RK Nagar have reflected the views of the Tamil Nadu's populace.
IANS
12:27 (IST)
WATCH: TTV Dhinkaran thanks people of RK Nagar
12:24 (IST)
Huge crowd gathers outside the counting centre
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 Reporters
12:22 (IST)
WATCH: Visuals of ruckus inside counting centre
12:19 (IST)
Round 4 update
Independent candidate — TTV Dhinakaran -20292 votes (53.14%)
AIADMK — Madhusudhanan - 9672 votes (25.302%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh - 5032 votes (13.17%)
BJP — K Nagarakan - 318 votes
12:11 (IST)
NOTA gets more vote than BJP
12:04 (IST)
TTV supporters await his arrival at Chennai airport
12:03 (IST)
12 pm update
As per the fourth round of counting, TTV Dhinakaran has garnered over 20,000 votes. On the other hand, AIADMK and DMK candidates are in the second and third position.
11:54 (IST)
Situation under control inside counting centre
A senior AlADMK party leader addressed supporters outside the counting centre and asked them to maintain quiet and calm.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 Reporters
11:47 (IST)
Dhinakaran's itinerary today
After reaching Chennai, TTV Dhinakaran will directly go to Amma (Jayalalithaa) memorial in Marina Beach, say news reports.
11:44 (IST)
Counting was disrupted for a while following AIADMK-TTV spar
Counting of votes for the RK Nagar bypoll suffered a temporary disruption following an alleged altercation between supporters of independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran and AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan.
A senior electoral official said "altercation caused disruption," even as the two rival sides charged each other with roughing up counting agents.
Another official said police restored peace and that the second round of counting was on. "Police restored peace, Nothing alarming. Compilation of the second round going on," he said.
PTI
11:40 (IST)
Update after 3 rounds of counting
TTV Dhinakaran (Independent): 15868
Madhusudhanan (AIADMK): 7033
Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 3691
K Nagarajan (DMK): 220
NOTA: 333
Total votes in round 1 and 2 and 3: 28,885
11:36 (IST)
Meanwhile... many namesakes in poll race!
11:30 (IST)
Women supporters of TTV Dhinakaran chanting slogans outside counting centre
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 reporters
11:28 (IST)
BJP cries foul over results
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan has claimed that the counting trends highlight the fact that cash-for-votes was rampant in the by-election, The Hindu reports.
11:21 (IST)
WATCH: TTV faction supporters celebrate
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
11:19 (IST)
Lone female candidate lagging in race
P Puspa, the lone female candidate in the fray has polled merely 26 votes ( 0.13 percent of the total votes), according to the EC report.
Input from 101reporters
11:16 (IST)
11 am update
Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran is still leading by a margin of over 8,000 votes over his nearest rival, E Madhusudhanan.
11:13 (IST)
Results after 2nd round
TTV Dhinakaran (Independent): 10421
Madhusudhanan (AIADMK) : 4521
Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 2324
K Nagarajan (BJP): 117
NOTA: 208
Official EC data
11:08 (IST)
Security beefed up outside counting center; riot control police assembling
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
11:07 (IST)
18 election observers for the bypoll
While there are 18 micro observers drawn from Central government services, each of the 14 counting tables will be monitored by one of them, according to election authorities. The entire counting process is being videographed and arrangements have been made to announce the results after conclusion of counting of each round.
PTI
11:06 (IST)
Will bring down the government, vows TTV
Speaking to reporters outside the Madurai Airport, Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran has vowed to overthrow the "anti-people" government of E Palaniswamy and O Panneerselvam within the next three months.
11:00 (IST)
Dhinakaran thankful to people of RK Nagar
Speaking at the Madurai Airport, TTV Dhinakaran thanked the people of RK Nagar for voting him. "Tamil Nadu people have helped us win. I am thankful to them I am saying this from the land of the Madurai Meenakshi."
He said that the mandate suggested that the people have rejected an anti-people government. "People know that only we can fulfill their aspirations," he said.
Dhinakaran added that it is not about who has the two leaves symbol but about who actually has the support of the cadres.
10:43 (IST)
Subramanian Swamy says two AIADMK faction could merge before 2019 polls
10:42 (IST)
Dhinakaran will dissolve Assembly, say supporters
"Our life is for TTV Dhinakaran, our life is for Chinnamma (Sasikala)", shout supporters. They say TTV Dhinakaran will dissolve the current government.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 Reporters
10:40 (IST)
Dhinakaran still leading; NOTA gets more votes than BJP
TTV Dinakaran (Independent): 10421
E Madhusudhanan (AIADMK) : 4520
M Ganesh (DMK): 2323
Naam Tamizhar Katchi: 760
K Nagarajan (BJP): 191
NOTA: 459
News18
10:35 (IST)
Round 3 of the counting begins
10:28 (IST)
Entire counting process being videographed
According to Financial Express, the entire counting process is being videographed and arrangements have been made to announce the results after conclusion of counting of each round.
10:25 (IST)
Celebrations begin in TTV Dhinakaran camp
10:24 (IST)
Naam Tamizhar Katchi candidate gets only 258 votes so far
Naam Tamizhar Katchi party workers outside counting center. TVK Nagar district leader Immanuel A (in yellow) says they are optimistic about coming 2nd and 3rd. They campaigned honestly and have the support of the youth, who constitute more than 80 percent of the party volunteers, he said. K Kalaikottuthayam – Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate polled only 258 votes in the first round.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 reporters