Date:12/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061207260400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Probe begins into deletions from electoral rolls

By Our Staff Reporter

NAGERCOIL, JUNE 11. The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, P.J. Thomas, appointed by the Election Commission to go into complaints of large-scale omission/deletion of names in the electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, began his enquiry at Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district today.

He held discussions with the Collector, Rajesh Lakhoni, and other officials at the Collectorate to study first-hand information regarding complaints received from political parties and the public.

Later speaking to presspersons, Mr. Thomas said he would, if necessary, visit the Assembly constituencies to conduct enquiries to fulfil the task assigned to him by the Commission.

Answering a question, he said the Kerala Election Commission had not received any complaints from political parties regarding pasting of wall posters, showing the Kerala Chief Minster, A.K. Antony, and the All-India general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Praveen Togadia, posing together during the elections. The wall poster issue created a flutter among the parties, including the Congress and Communist parties, which accused each other of putting up the posters. The Commission will conduct an enquiry, if it receives any complaint, Mr. Thomas said.

Mr. Lakhoni said the district administration received 405 petitions so far from the public regarding the omission or deletion of names from the electoral rolls.