CHENNAI: Counting of votes polled in the two-phase elections to the local bodies will begin at 822 centres in 32 districts across the State on Friday. A clear trend for the urban local bodies are expected by noon and the final results regarding the rural local bodies where ballot papers are used are likely to be known by the evening.State Election Commissioner S Ayyar held a series of discussions with the election officials as well as top police officials regarding the security arrangements for the counting being made for ensuring smooth election process.As many as 5,27,875 candidates have filed their nomination papers for 1,32,467 posts in rural and urban local bodies. While 86,983 nomination papers were withdrawn, 19,646 candidates were elected unopposed and no nomination was received for 55 posts. Of the total 4,63,37,379 voters in the State, 2.64 crore are from the rural areas and 1.99 crore are from the urban areas.In the polling booths, 6.30 lakh officials were engaged in election-related works and 39 IAS officers were on duty as observers. Police forces from other States were also engaged in security arrangements and a whopping 92,451 electronic voting machines were used for the first time in local body elections.In the first phase of elections held on October 17, polling took place for all the 10 municipal corporations. Besides, polling took place for 60 municipalities, 259 town panchayats and 191 panchayat unions on that day.During the second phase of polling held on October 19, 65 municipalities, 270 town panchayats and 194 panchayat unions were covered. Repolling was held for seven booths in Chennai on Thursday.
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