AIADMK, BJP ask ECI to curb ‘voter bribing’ by DMK in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: AIADMK and BJP have complained to the chief election commissioner that DMK has started distributing cash for votes ahead of the assembly elections. They have asked for income tax sleuths from other states to be deputed to Tamil Nadu to curb the malpractice.

Representatives from both parties met CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Chennai on Thursday and submitted a memorandum seeking strict checks.

"DMK is relying on money power for this election. They have sent money to all districts meant for distribution to the voters. ECI should take steps to immediately stop this," AIADMK organizational secretary D Jayakumar told reporters after meeting the CEC.




BJP, represented by former Chennai deputy mayor Karate R Thiagarajan, also made a similar allegation about the party. "ECI must not wait for the announcement of the model code of conduct. They should engage income tax department officials from other states to work with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu to curb the money distribution," Thiagarajan said.

Jayakumar also urged ECI to increase security in sensitive booths. "Every polling booth should have CCTV cameras. In all the sensitive booths, along with CCTV cameras, the strength of the police personnel should be increased," Jayakumar said.

DMK organizational secretary R S Bharathi and Rajya Sabha MP N R Elango submitted a memorandum to the CEC demanding that ECI release details of voters by age cohort. They said ECI did not provide details of voters according to their age in the recently released voter list after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said they have asked ECI to hold the election for Tamil Nadu in one shot and that it should be a single phase election. Shanmugam also said there should be changes in the EVM machines, as control units should be connected next to EVMs and not VVPATs.

Gyanesh Kumar assured that all their concerns would be addressed. He told party representatives that election would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. He held a meeting with Tamil Nadu's chief electoral officer Archana Patnaik and other officials before meeting representatives of recognized political parties.