Youth out in large numbers; Villupuram, Cuddalore see jump

The northern districts, excluding Chennai city, registered close to 77% polling on Monday. Voters turned out in greater numbers compared to the rest of the state, pushing the polling percentage in seven districts far higher than the overall 74% recorded across Tamil Nadu.
Floods followed by drought, unemployment and lack of industrial growth which has reswulted in migration are seen to have been the key poll issues in the region.
Youngsters, who account for over 1 crore voters in the state, especially turned up in larger numbers to cast votes in northern districts. They are expected to have voted for development and creation of jobs and not freebies.
Parts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore districts which were badly hit in the recent floods saw high voter turnout, which is normally considered a sign of anti-incumbency, but given the fact that opposition is divided, who will reap the gains is anybody's guess.
Despite the higher turnout, it was less in percentage terms compared to 2011. In Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, the drop was more than 7%. Polling in Tiruvannamalai district (83.5%) was more or less on a par with the previous assembly election's turnout. Villupuram recorded the second highest (80%) voter turnout in the region, much higher than the state average, but 2.4% short of the figure in 2011. Cuddalore registered 78.64%, Vellore 77.24%, Tiruvallur 71.2% and Kancheepuram 71.16%. Cuddalore and Villupuram districts witnessed 3% lower polling compared to the last assembly election.
"The overall poll percentage in the state has also come down despite an intensive campaign by the Election Commission," said an official involved in election work.