Tamil Nadu: More women vote than men

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu recorded an overall voter turnout of 74.26 per cent in the elections held for 232 assembly constituencies on Monday, with more women voting than men.
Out of the total 234 constituencies, polling was held in all except Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies, where voting was postponed over alleged malpractices involving distribution of inducements, including money and gifts.
In the 232 constituencies, the total number of voters was 5,77,33,574 and out of them 4,28,73,674 exercised their franchise, according to state Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni.
Interestingly 2,16,28,807 women voted, while the number of men who cast their franchise was lower at 2,12,44,129.
A total of 3,776 candidates are in the fray in 234 constituencies. The RK Nagar seat tops the list with 45 nominees, including Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in the fray. Out of the total candidates, 3,454 were men, 320 women and two were transgenders.
The Election Commission had taken a wide range of measures to encourage voting and achieve 100 per cent turnout.
Counting of votes will be taken up on May 19. Polling in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur will take place on May 23 and the counting of votes on May 25.