Chennai: The R K Nagar assembly bypoll, which enjoys VVIP status due to the presence in the fray of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, has recorded an over 200 per cent increase in the number of independents filing nominations. The major TN opposition political parties may have decided to stay away from the bypoll fearing a drubbing, but the number of independent candidates reached 42 by the time nominations closed on Wednesday.
While affidavits will be scrutinised on Thursday, the signs are that a record number of independent candidates is assured for the bypoll. It appears many more attention seekers have jumped into the poll fray when compared to the previous bypolls since 2011.
“If the number of candidates had crossed the 64 mark the polling officials would have had to station more than two EVMs. However, the scenario of 3 EVMs is now ruled out as only 50 nominations have been submitted and there is time for rejections and withdrawals”, a senior official told DC.
On the last day of nominations, as many as 15 candidates filed their papers. Some better known faces like ‘Traffic’ Ramasamy and advocate R C Paul Kanagaraj filed additional nominations to prevent rejection in case of any short comings with their nominations filed first, sources added. Political commentator and writer Gnani Sankaran is of the opinion that more independents would only help the formidable political candidates in any bypoll. The poll managers and party heavyweights can use the polling and counting agents of such independents in favour of their ‘campaign work’ during counting and polling.
Once a nomination is accepted, the independent candidates also enjoy the same number of counting and polling agents as the recognised political parties. These agents, certified by EC, have access to restricted areas and they can become additional sidekicks of political parties during any bypoll process.
Meanwhile, Chennai corporation began training the polling staff. Corporation commissioner Vikram Kapur inspected the programme and ascertained the poll arrangements. City police commissioner S. George also visited the counting stations.
