FIRs for poll code violation cross 2,700

CHENNAI: The assembly election is a little more than three weeks away, and the Election Commission has found virtually every party in the wrong when it comes to norms. Since March 4, when the election was announced, 2,764 cases have been registered against various political parties and their candidates in the state.
AIADMK tops the list with 632 FIRs against it, followed by DMK with 530 cases.FIRs have been registered against all recognised parties for violations. Even ministers and MLAs have been slapped with cases, EC sources said. “FIRs are registered if candidates obstruct traffic, drop money in an aarthi plate or if they use vulgar language,“ deputy election commissioner Sandeep Saxena told TOI.
Since the election was announced by the commission 72 days before the polling date, this time the state has the model code of conduct in force for the maximum period. There were about 3,000 cases registered for poll code violations in the state during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. This time the number of cases could be more, said a former chief election commissioner.
On March 26, an FIR was registered against higher education minister and AIADMK's Pappireddipatti candidate P Palaniappan and 100 supporters for unlawful assembly in Dharmapuri district. They were celebrating the appointment of Palacode MLA K P Anbazhagan as the party's new district secretary.
As they took out a procession, traffic was affected in Dharmapuri.
On April 15, cases were registered against two factions of DMK, who clashed at Salem over the alleged neglect of supporters of former minister Veerapandi Arumugam by DMK leaders. Cases have been registered against almost all parties, both big and small. There are 51 cases filed against MDMK functionaries and cadres and that includes the infamous speech of Vaiko against DMK chief M Karunanidhi and his family on April 6.
Apart from police filing FIRs, the Election Commission also issued notice to Vaiko. He replied to that a few days ago. “Candidates filing nominations must also mention the FIRs filed against them from the date model code of conduct came into effect,“ chief electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni said.