New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday decided to “rescind” the notification and conduct polls afresh to two Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies “in due course of time” following evidence of the use of money to influence voters. The constituencies are Aravkurichi and Thanjavur.
From these two constituencies, cash of over Rs 8 crore has been seized. Authorities also recovered over 2,500 litres of liquor, besides gifts like silver, dhotis and saris during searches.
Initially, the polls were postponed from May 16 to May 23. On May 21, EC had decided to once again postpone the polls to June 13.
EC cancels elections for two seats in Tamil Nadu
In a harsh and first of its kind action in India’s electoral history, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday decided to ‘rescind’ or cancel the notification and conduct polls afresh “in due course of time” to two Tamil Nadu Assembly seats Aravkurichi and Thanjavur, following evidence of use of money to influence voters.
From these two constituencies, cash of over '8 crore has been seized. Authorities also recovered over 2,500 litres of liquor, besides gifts like silver, dhotis and sarees meant during searches.
Earlier, EC had on two occasions postponed polls to the two assembly seats following reports of large scale distribution of money and gifts to voters by the candidates and political parties there.
Initially, the polls were postponed from May 16 to May 23. On May 21, EC had decided to once again postpone the polls to June 13.
Tamil Nadu went to polls on May 16 when AIADMK returned to power for a second consecutive term. The EC said it took the decision after considering reports of observers, special teams of central observers, report of the special team of observers of Arav-kurichi and Tanjavur constituencies and representations of contesting candidates.
“The EC is satisfied that the election process in the two constituencies, because of inducing electors by candidates and political parties by offering money and other gifts to woo them in their favour, is seriously vitiated and cannot be allowed to proceed and ought to be rescinded so that fresh elections may be conducted de novo in these two constituencies when the atmosphere becomes conducive to the holding of free and fair elections after a reasonable lapse of time,” the EC order said.
The Commission usually takes such a harsh step when there is evidence that muscle power has been used to influence voters. But cancelling polls following use of money to induce voters is so far unheard of.
