Peaceful voting day marred by stray incidents of violence

THE Assembly elections was conducted without major disruptions on Thursday, with the Election Commission reporting smooth polling across most constituencies.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

DMK supporters in a heated argument with the police following allegations of TVK agents campaigning outside a polling booth in Kolathur

(P RAVIKUMAR)

However, a series of isolated but serious incidents, including inter-party clashes, a stabbing and allegations of bogus voting, cast a shadow over the day.

In the most alarming incident of the day, a head constable on election duty was stabbed inside an aided middle school in Poraiyar under the Poompuhar Assembly constituency in Mayiladuthurai. The attacker, identified as Prabhakaran, a retired Army personnel from Kattucherry, allegedly used a screwdriver to attack Vignesh, a head constable attached to Kuthalam police station, causing injuries to his neck and hands. He was arrested, and police sources said the accused had previously been involved in a similar incident and was believed to have mental health issues.