Poll panel, DMK men told to file affidavits

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the poll panel, said once the election process has begun, it cannot be stalled. Moreover, these are elections of small societies and political parties have no role in them. The Tamil Nadu State Co-operatives Election Commission had on March 5 announced four-phase elections to 18,775 primary cooperative societies. 

It had held elections to 4,698 societies in phase 1 and 4,479 societies in phase 2. It has to conduct polls to 4,531 societies in phase 3 and 4,727 elections in phase 4. Challenging the polls, several petitions were filed before the High Court alleging that the commission had accepted nominations of candidates who belonged to the ruling AIADMK and declared them successful. 

The plea before the High Court had also alleged that the commission had rejected nominations of the candidates of rival political parties. However, it did not serve orders to the candidates concerned stating reasons for rejection. However, the High Court had ordered status quo in the matter, which was unturned by the Supreme Court on Friday.