CPI(M) to boycott counting of votes in local polls

Chennai, Oct 14 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) an ally of the DMK led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), today declared it would boycott tomorrow's repoll in 13 booths in the city and counting of votes on October 18.

In a statement here CPI(M) North Chennai District secretary T K Shanmugam said as the state Election Commission failed to come forward to conduct repoll in at least five wards, the CPI(M) decides to boycott the repoll ordered to 13 booths and the counting of votes as well.

He said the ruling DMK, after staging a murderous assault and booth capturing, prevented the people from taking part in the Democratic process yesterday.

When largescale violence, booth capturing and rigging marred the elections, the state Election Commission and the City Police Commissioner had ''shamelessly'' stated that the election was by and large peaceful barring stray incidents, he charged.

The CPI(M) had demanded repoll in at least five wards-35,12,45,59 and 103, but the Election Commission had come forward to hold repoll only in 13 booths. ''In this backdrop, we have decided to boycott tomorrow's repoll and counting of votes, scheduled for October 18, he said.

Being part of the DMK led DPA, the CPI (M) went it alone in a few wards in south and north Chennai after it failed to reach an agreement on seat sharing with the DMK.

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