Chennai: The DMK on Sunday asked the Election Commission to ensure that no local officials are deployed for poll work in elections to Thanjavur and Aravakurichi constituencies so as to ensure "free and fair" polls.
Alleging that election authorities have deputed state government staffers and police personnel belonging to Thanjavur and Aravakkurichi constituencies for election duty in the same constituencies, DMK Organisation Secretary R.S. Bharathi asked that the officers be withdrawn and "outsiders" be deputed.
"Electoral officers of Karur (under which Aravakurichi falls) and Thanjavur districts and Returning Officers of Aravakurichi and Thanjavur Assembly constituencies have deputed local officials. Hence, in view of deputation for poll work in their native areas, they are being given postal ballots," he alleged in a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi.
Mr Bharathi, a Rajya Sabha MP, said local officials from Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies on poll duty should be recalled immediately to "ensure free and fair polls."
The DMK leader also sought deputation of officials from other districts in these two constituencies, while requesting the EC to invalidate the postal votes already registered and cancel any further postal polling in the two Assembly segments.
