Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100512810800.htm

Tamil Nadu

EC rejects Vijayakant charge on allotment of symbol

Special Correspondent

Preparations for local body polls in full swing, says Chandrasekaran

CHENNAI: Preparations are in full swing for the smooth conduct of local body elections, scheduled to be held in two phases -- October 13 and October 15.

Printing of ballot papers is under way and the process will be completed before October 6, according to D. Chandrasekaran, Tamil Nadu State Election Commissioner.

Speaking here on Wednesday, Mr. Chandrasekaran said 10.70 crore ballot papers were being printed for rural bodies, and another 1.96 crore papers were being made ready for urban wards. Other materials such as ballot boxes and indelible ink would be despatched from the District Collectorates. Everything would be in place well in advance for the polls.

Election observers, who were posted in districts, and district election officers have been given powers to take stringent action, including suspension of polling, in case of violence on polling day. Candidates and their agents would be arrested and severe action taken against them if they tried to bribe voters.

Mr. Chandrasekaran said the Commission had fixed a ceiling on spending for candidates depending on wards they were contesting and the candidates should submit accounts within three months after the completion of the election process. Candidates who failed to do so would be debarred from contesting the election for three years.

A cell had been opened in the State election office here to receive complaints from candidates as well as voters. So far, it had received 300 complaints, mostly related to rejection of nomination papers by returning officers.

Mr. Chandrasekaran denied Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam president Vijayakant's allegation that his party was deprived of the "Murasu (drum) symbol" by the Commission at the instance of the ruling party. He said DMDK was only a registered political party and not a recognised party in the State. Under the Election Commission of India's rule, such parties were free to choose from the free symbol list. As the "drum symbol" was not in the free symbol list, it could not be allotted to him, he added.

He said the Commission had suspended electioneering for local bodies in the Madurai Central Assembly constituency from 5 p.m. on October 9 to 5 p.m. on October 11 in view of the by-election.