NAGAPATTINAM: Hundreds of cadres of DMK and allied parties sieged the strong room in Sirkazhi where ballot boxes are stored after rumours spread that outsiders entered the room and replaced a few ballot boxes.
The cadres resorted to stone-pelting as the situation turned tense for over an hour on Saturday evening.
Around 4 pm, hundreds of cadres from DMK and allied parties gathered on the premises of Vivekananda College of Arts & Science for Women where the ballot boxes are stored.
They went on a rampage, pelting stones and damaging several window panes. Senior police officials and revenue officials arrived and tried to compromise with the rioting cadres and functionaries. The DMK and ally party functionaries alleged that there are attempts of replacing ballot boxes. They also alleged that
they were not invited to observe the storing of ballot boxes.
The revenue officials are in talks with the party representatives over allegations of the presence of intruders and replacement of ballot boxes in the strong rooms.
District collector, Praveen P Nair said, “The only fact we confirmed was that ballot boxes in that centre were sealed without the presence of party agents. We have appointed our Additional Collector (Development) MS Prasanth to investigate how this error happened and who is at fault. The other claims such as intrusion or security breach are baseless allegations.”
It was later learnt that they were electrical workers who were setting up tube lights inside the strong rooms. Investigations are underway.
The first phase of local body elections in Nagapattinam district which included polling in Nagapattinam, KIlvelur, Thirumarugal, Sirkazhi, Kollidam, and Sembanarkoil got over on Friday.
The district registered 408315 votes (75.74 %) on the first phase across six blocks