CHENNAI: The Election Commission of India on Monday announced election to Thanjavur and Aravakurichi constituencies which was countermanded on charges of ‘cash distribution’, and also the by-election to Tirupparankundram constituency, which was necessitated by the death of winning candidate even before taking oath.
The polling will be on November 19, just about a month left, with counting scheduled on November 22. With the last date for filing nominations fixed for November 3, political parties have to decide their candidates and get ready for campaign within a short time.
Filing of nominations will begin on October 26 and the last date for filing nominations will be November 2. Scrutiny of papers will take place on November 3 and November 5 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Following several complaints of cash distribution, the commission had deferred polling in Arakurichi constituency to May 23 while polling was scheduled for May 16 in all other constituencies. Later, on May 15, the postponed polling in Thanjavur constituency, too, to May 23 for similar reasons.
Later, the commission formed two teams of officers to enquire into the alleged electoral malpractices in both constituencies. On May 20, the EC further postponed the polling in both constituencies to June 13. On May 26, the then Governor K Rosaiah recommended to the Election Commission to conduct polling on or by June 1.
However, the Commission rejected this recommendation on May 28 and rescinded the election process in these constituencies citing the allurement of voters and the seizure of huge cash. The EC announced that fresh election would be held after reasonable lapse of time.
In the case of Tirupparankundram constituency in Madurai, the winning candidate SM Seenivel of the AIADMK died even before taking oath. He was hospitalised at the time of counting.