Date:08/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/08/stories/2006100803640400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

AIADMK seeks more poll observers

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has demanded the appointment of at least four additional election observers for the Madurai Central Assembly constituency.

In a representation to the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer here, party MP and legal advisor, N. Jothi, said these observers should be directed to conduct regular rounds on polling day.

He said the petition was being presented in view of the "grave situation" in the constituency. "The manner in which the local police are dancing to the tunes of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party has reached incredible proportions." If the same atmosphere continued, polling would be a farce.

Police blamed

The Madurai district police were arresting AIADMK members on "false grounds" and "terrorising the public," he said.