HC appoints Observer for Municipality Chairman poll

Chennai, Apr 26 (UNI) Madras High Court today appointed an Observer for the Nagappattinam Municipality Chairman poll to be held on May 7, 2007.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Chitra Venkataraman appointed an Assistant Registrar as an Observer for Nagappattinam Municipality Chairman election, while disposing of a petition filed by R Chandramohan, a Councillor, seeking a direction to State Election Commissioner, to appoint a monitoring committee to conduct the election for the Chairman of Nagappattinam Municipality.

In its order, the Bench said considering the allegations made as regards the past conduct of election and apprehension by the counsel for petitioner, it was necessary to ensure free and fair election and avoid any possible violation. It was necessary that an officer of this court be appointed as an Observer to ensure free and fair election and maintain secrecy of ballot as envisaged in the election rules.

The bench directed an Assistant Registrar to be present on May seven at Nagappattinam Municipality as an Observer appointed by this court to ensure that the elected members cast their votes without any fear or favour. The District Election Officer shall render all assistance to the Assistant Registrar, who was appointed as Observer.

The bench directed the Court Observer to file a report to this court on June 4, 2007 with all his remarks in the matter.

UNI