TN by-poll — Jaya urges CEC to order repolling

CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 18: AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha has written to Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill, urging him to order repo...

CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 18: AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha has written to Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill, urging him to order repolling in all the booths in Trichi II and some of the booths in Aranthangi and Nellikuppam, where by-elections were held on Thursday. She had sought repolling in all the booths in Trichi II, in seven booths in Aranthangi and in two booths in Nellikuppam, with the surveillance of paramilitary forces, alleging that the members of ruling DMK and its allies indulged in several malpractices.

Jaya alleged that DMK men, in connivance with the police, had cast bogus votes in large numbers in the Trichi II constituency. DMK RS member Siva had directed the bogus voting and ADMK polling agents were beaten up and chased away by the police. She also accused the police of roughing up ADMK MP P H Pandiyan who had raised strong objections to such malpractices.

All the incidents have been recorded by the Jaya TV crew, she said, and added that the she was ready to hand over the cassette for verification, if needed.

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Though admitting that the polling process was generally peaceful in Aranthangi and Nellikuppam, Jayalalitha claimed that MGR-ADMK general secretary S Thirunavukkarasu had organised casting of 400 bogus votes with police protection in Aranthangi. Similar malpractices had taken place in seven booths in Aranthangi.

Jayalalitha pointed out that she had earlier demanded deployment of paramilitary forces, fearing such unfortunate developments.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta on Friday said it was for the Election Commission to take a decision on Jayalalitha’s plea for repoll in the entire Tiruchirapalli-II and some polling booths in Arantangi and Nellikuppam assembly constituencies.

Talking to newsmen, he said the election observers would file their reports only to the EC and his office had no role in ordering repoll.

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