CHENNAI: As political parties went silent on Wednesday after the month-long campaign, the Election Commission went into high gear, giving the final push to ensure smooth polling across Tamil Nadu on Thursday.Electronic voting machines were dispatched to polling stations under tight security, while flying squads stepped up vigil to prevent last-minute cash distribution.Chief electoral officer Archana Patnaik said 300 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 83,800 police personnel have been deployed to guard polling stations statewide.

Ballot Units Sent To Polling Stations Amid Tight Vigil

EC officials undertook a 65km uphill journey from Theni to move ballot units to a remote polling booth at Vellimalai Estate in Varusanadu under the Andipatti assembly segment, catering to just five voters. For the Oothukadu polling station in Bodinayakanur, which has 307 voters but no motorable access, EVMs were carried on horseback through forests.Meanwhile, transport hubs saw heavy crowds as voters travelled back to their native places to cast votes. Several voters also arrived from abroad to participate in the election process.Delegates from multiple countries also visited Chennai under the international election visitors programme to study the polling process.