Nearly 13,000 prisoners to exercise their franchise in Tamil Nadu jails this poll

Chennai: Steps are on to maximise public participation in the May 16 polls and this time special efforts are made to ensure that about 13,000 prisoners in
Tamil Nadu jails will be allowed to vote, said Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni here on Friday.

“Among the jail inmates, only people under preventive detention will have voting rights. We are identifying such persons and checking their eligibility details.”
Besides, nearly 5, 000 government staff who are part of the surveillance team during the polling day, can also now cast their votes through postal ballots.

Polling officials will be sensitised to deal the aged and pregnant women arriving at polling stations so that they are not made to wait in the queue. Ramps and wheel chairs will also be made mandatory in this election, he said.

Commenting on the ongoing vehicle search and static surveillance, the
CEO said all district collectors have been instructed to provide periodical reports on cash and other seizures.

There are complaints from traders and corporates that cash meant for business administration and salaries was confiscated by surveillance teams. A circular for companies to follow will be issued shortly.

Similarly, it is also advisable for public not to carry a large amount of cash during the model code of conduct. According to poll officials, cash seizure has crossed more than Rs 3 crore.

A large quantity of liquor bottles has also been seized in Krishnagiri and Tiruvallur districts. Revenue officials in different parts of the state have also confiscated free bicycles, laptops and induction stoves.