Edappadi K Palaniswami complains to Governor about violations in civic polls
Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday called on Governor RN Ravi and submitted a memorandum alleging large scale poll violations by the ruling DMK in the recently concluded civic elections.
The AIADMK delegation which comprised former ministers also demanded free and fair civic polls for the vacant urban local bodies.
“The ruling DMK has instigated violence, manipulated the poll results and declared the DMK candidates as winners. The State Election Commission and District Collectors acted like DMK members and we have listed out the specific cases to the Governor seeking his intervention,” Palaniswami told reporters after meeting the Governor at Raj Bhavan.
“The results of several AIADMK candidates were changed by the poll officials. We have submitted proof for all the poll violations done by the DMK. This poll is nothing less than the murder of democracy,” he said.
Pointing out that despite the Madras High Court ruling demanding transparency in the election process, the SEC has failed to implement the court order in letter and spirit, EPS also said, “For instance in Vellore district, a local DMK MLA entered the counting station and took away the ballot papers and this video was telecast in media. There was action only against the polling officials, and not against the DMK MLA. The DMK won the civic polls by giving Rs 1,000 for each vote and the DMK gave money even in my native district, EPS alleged.
“We also discussed the deteriorating law and order situation with the Governor and the incident of a police traffic official being slapped by DMK goons who were close to the local DMK Minister. The district SP has said that there is no action as the complainant who is a policeman had withdrawn the case.