Complaints notwithstanding, EC to go ahead with R.K. Nagar by-polls

As scheduled earlier, the State Election Commission has decided to go ahead with the upcoming R.K. Nagar by-polls on Thursday (21st December) despite complaints of indulgence of large-scale cash-for-vote practice.

Ruling AIADMK, DMK, BJP, Naam Tamizhar Katchi and independent candidate Dinakran are in the fray; other parties have either boycotted the by-polls or supporting DMK candidate Marudhu Ganesh.  With just 24 hours remaining for the campaigning to be concluded, complaints of large-scale indulgence of cash-for-vote surfaced on Sunday.

Several bundles of currency notes, kept apparently for distribution to voters in Kasimedu and Korukkupet, were recovered amid allegations that Dinakaran’s supporters were giving away Rs.6000 per voter to vote in his favour.  It was also reported that Rs.100 crores had been allocated by him for disbursement to the electorate.

Election Commission’s special officer Batra received complaints from the DMK and the BJP even as there were rumours floating in R.K. Nagar that the Election Commission might cancel the by-polls as it did in April.  It is in this backdrop it is informed that the Election Commission has decided to go ahead and conduct the by-polls by changing the cops in charge in localities from where complaints were received.