After making up many controversies, the elections for the south Indian Film Artistes’ Association (SIFAA), popularly known as Nadigar Sangam, ended at 5 pm on Sunday and the election to the film actors’ union saw 1,604 votes polled by closing time. Meanwhile the election was held at St Eba’s girls school in Mylapore from 7 am to 5 pm amidst heavy police protection as ordered by the Madras High Court.
Furthermore two factions from within the union were contesting in the elections. While the incumbent office-bearers led by actor Nasser formed the Pandavar ani, the other faction, named Swami Sankaradas ani, was led by veteran actor cum director Bhagyaraj. As of 5 pm on Sunday, 1,604 votes were polled out of a total of 3,171 votes in the union.
Moreover the run-up to this year’s election was mired in controversy as the Registrar of Societies had cancelled the elections citing irregularities in the electoral roll. Reportedly the Madras High Court ordered a stay on the Registrar’s order and gave a go-ahead for the elections. Earlier on Saturday evening, the court also fixed St Eba’s Girls School as the location for polling and ordered Chennai police to provide adequate security for the smooth conduct of the polls.
