RK Nagar bypoll may be cancelled if cash flow found: EC
After the scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by candidates, a stern warning notice would be released by December 5.
Chennai: There is every possibility of the RK Nagar polls being suspended again. “The election commission has told the TN public election department to recommend the cancellation of poll if voters were bribed with cash for votes”, a top public election department official told Deccan Chronicle.
After the scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by candidates, a stern warning notice would be released by December 5 and this will emphasise the need for free and fair polls and also reiterate that the by-poll will be rescinded if the model code of conduct is violated, said a highly informed source.
“To strengthen surveillance additional paramilitary forces will be deployed in the constituency once the list of candidates is released on December 7. Twenty paramilitary companies each containing 70 personnel will be brought to RK Nagar and this will be the maximum deployment for an assembly constituency bypoll”, added the source.
The election commission has appointed 3 general observers, 3 law and order observers and 3 expenditure observers to ensure the smooth conducts of the by-election.
As many as 164 symbols will be available for the independent candidates and if more than one independent candidates insist for the same symbol, the symbol would be provided through lots, the poll officials said.
EC is expecting a competition for 'double light post' and 'cap', which were used by AIADMK factions led by O. Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran in the last April bypoll, which was cancelled due to large-scale distribution of cash for votes.