Jaya confident of AIADMK victory in civic polls

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK on Monday expressed confidence that people would vote for her party in the two-phase civic polls that got underway in the state on Monday. Speaking to reporters after casting her vote, Jayalalithaa said, "After the people voted us to power with overwhelming majority, we have restored law and order, initiated welfare schemes and fulfilled our promises to the people. We are confident of support." Polling began at 7 am on Monday. Voting is peaceful, with people queuing at booths in the morning itself. In some places complaints of names missing in the voters list and glitches in the functioning of electronic voting machines surfaced. Nearly six months after the assembly elections, Tamil Nadu is witnessing another battle of the ballot with an electorate of around 4.63 crore set to vote in the local body polls Monday and Wednesday.The voters will elect around 112,000 representatives from around 411,000 candidates.The entire polling process in state capital Chennai and in sensitive polling booths across the state will be recorded on camera. Counting of votes takes place October 21.According to police officials, around 80,000 personnel are being deployed for security. While the April assembly elections were fought under alliances led by ruling AIADMK and DMK, this time round the major parties - AIADMK, DMK, Congress, PMK - are going it alone. The DMDK has joined hands with the communist parties.