EC to conduct fresh polls in two TN Assembly seats reported for distribution of money

NEW DELHI: In a first in India's electoral history, the Election Commission today decided to rescind the notification and conduct polls afresh "in due course of time" to two Tamil Nadu Assembly seats following evidence of use of money to influence voters.

Earlier, EC had on two occasions postponed polls to Aravkurichi and Tanjavur Assembly constituencies following reports of large scale distribution of money and gifts to voters by the candidates and political parties.

Initially, the polls were postponed from May 16 to May 23. On May 21, EC had decided to once again postpone the polls to June 13.

Tamil Nadu went to Assembly polls on May 16 when AIADMK returned to power for a second consecutive term.

EC said it took the decision after considering reports of observers, special teams of central observers, report of the special team of observers of Aravkurichi and Tanjavur constituencies and representations of contesting candidates.

"...the EC is satisfied that the election process in the two constituencies, because of inducing electors by candidates and political parties by offering money and other gifts to woo them in their favour, is seriously vitiated and cannot be allowed to proceed and ought to be rescinded so that fresh elections may be conducted de novo in these two constituencies when the atmosphere becomes conducive to the holding of free and fair elections after a reasonable lapse of time," an official said quoting a Commission order.

The Commission usually takes such a harsh step when there are evidences that muscle power has been used to influence voters. But cancelling polls following use of money to induce voters is so far unheard of.