25,000 voters use 49-O option in state
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Though the state’s political leaders have not enlightened voters about the choice, 24,824 voters in Tamil Nadu have given vent to their anger against politicians by opting for the 49-O option in the April 13 elections.
While Chennai, suffering from various civic issues, tops the list with 3,407 entries, in Ariyalur district brought up the last, with only 107 voters choosing the option.
Interestingly, in Rishivandhiyam, where DMDK chief and actor Vijayakanth is contesting, no voter preferred the 49-O option, while voters of four other constituencies, Neyveli, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar and Aruppukkottai also had a soft corner for politicians and kept away from exercising the option.
A meagre 31 voters opted for the 49-O option in Srirangam constituency where AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa is contesting.
Fifty nine voters have opted for the option in chief minister M. Karunanidhi’s Tiruvarur constituency, besides 209 voters at Kolathur, where deputy chief minister M.K. Stalin is testing the waters.
Only three voters have exercised the 49-O option in Kilvelur constituency, which recorded the highest poll percentage of 91 in the state, and Karur district, which also registered the highest poll percentage in Tamil Nadu, had just 335 voters preferring the 49-O option. In Nannilam constituency, only one opted for the option and in 19 other constituencies, not even 10 persons have opted for the option.
In 17 districts, the number of the 49-O entries was below 500, while the figure crossed the 1,000 mark in districts like Tirupur, Kancheepuram, Tirunelveli, Nilgiris, Erode, Tiruchy and Coimbatore.
“In the state, many voters were not aware of such a provision (49-O) in the Constitution. What was shocking was that many officials in the polling booths were also ignorant of the 49-O option” said a top official who want anonimity.
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