Saidapet polls a farce: TN Opp

The CPM, he said, had faxed complaints to the district collector, chief electoral officer and election observers but no action was taken.

CPM candidate from Saidapet T. Nandagopal said the photographer and reporter of party organ Theekathir were threatened by the AIADMK cadre.

CPI state secretary R. Nallakannu alleged irregularities in polling in the three constituencies that went to polls and demanded a re-election.

MDMK candidate P. Subramani claimed he was threatened by a group of AIADMK men while he was touring the constituency. PMK leader S. Ramadoss alleged that the state’s election history has never seen such large-scale rigging.

While Vaniyambadi and Achrappakam constituencies of the state polled 61 and 62 per cent votes respectively, Saidapet saw a 50 per cent turnout, chief electoral officer Mrutyunjay Saragani said.

He said the Election Commission and the state election department had received complaints from the DMK demanding repoll in 80 out of 273 booths in Saidapet.