DMDK petitions demanding cancellation of Erode East by-poll

CHENNAI: Actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth's DMDK party on Tuesday petitioned Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo, alleging large scale malpractice and brazen violation of the model code of conduct in the Erode East Constituency and demand to countermand of the by-poll for the constituency.

The petition has been submitted a day after the CEO made a statement that they did not receive any complaints demanding for cancellation of the by-poll.

The ruling DMK party, its alliance Congress and the major opposition party AIADMK have been indulging in several malpractices for a favourable outcome in the February 27 by-poll for their respective side, said DMDK legal wing functionary S Janarthanan in a petition.

He filed the petition on behalf of the party to cancel the bypoll.

Despite the Election Commission of India taking several efforts to ensure free and fair election, the party in power (DMK) and the AIADMK have been making several efforts to disrupt the election process. They have been distributing household items and gifts to influence the voters, he said.

Citing the cancellation of the election for the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency in 2019 on the ground of uncontrollable increase in transfer of cash and materials gratification in exchange of votes, the plaintiff demanded Sahoo to take appropriate measure and countermand the by-poll.