The Election Commission on Monday directed Madurai collector and returning officer of Thirumangalam constituency to file a case against local administration minister and DMK treasurer MK Stalin for allegedly distributing money while campaigning there on January 3.
The case will be filed under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
Announcing the decision, chief electoral officer Naresh Gupta said cases had been filed against some AIADMK functionaries too for distributing money to voters on December 28.
The EC has also ordered notice to the DMK and the AIADMK following complaints of “corrupt practices” in Thirumangalam, where a bypoll is slated for January 9. The two parties have been directed to file their reply in two days.
Stalin, on the campaign trail in Thirumangalam, denies the charges saying: “We are strictly adhering to the model code and obeying the rules of the Election Commission. We have not violated any rules. We will submit our reply before the appropriate forum.”
The EC directive follows the airing of television footage purportedly showing Stalin paying cash to some people. DMK cadres, however, explained that making token payments to those paying respects was a tradition for all leaders.
When contacted, Thirumangalam returning officer S Ramachandran said he was yet to receive EC directives.
The campaign has been marred by violence and the lack of probity. The ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK consider the by-poll to be crucial as it comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and may be viewed as an indication of voter sentiment on various issues.
The case will be filed under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
Announcing the decision, chief electoral officer Naresh Gupta said cases had been filed against some AIADMK functionaries too for distributing money to voters on December 28.
The EC has also ordered notice to the DMK and the AIADMK following complaints of “corrupt practices” in Thirumangalam, where a bypoll is slated for January 9. The two parties have been directed to file their reply in two days.
Stalin, on the campaign trail in Thirumangalam, denies the charges saying: “We are strictly adhering to the model code and obeying the rules of the Election Commission. We have not violated any rules. We will submit our reply before the appropriate forum.”
The EC directive follows the airing of television footage purportedly showing Stalin paying cash to some people. DMK cadres, however, explained that making token payments to those paying respects was a tradition for all leaders.
When contacted, Thirumangalam returning officer S Ramachandran said he was yet to receive EC directives.
The campaign has been marred by violence and the lack of probity. The ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK consider the by-poll to be crucial as it comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and may be viewed as an indication of voter sentiment on various issues.
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