Cash for vote charge against DMK candidate: HC directive to EC

Madurai, Mar 25: The Madras High Court today directed the Election Commission to reply within one week as to what action had been taken on a complaint against a DMK candidate in Tirunelveli District that he distributed Rs 1,000 to the public through an MLA on Mar 19.

The direction was given on a petition by local MGR Youth Wing functionary seeking a direction to the EC to withhold the nomination of T M P Moideen Khan, who has filed his papers from Palayamkottai segment for the Apr 13 Assembly polls, and conduct a proper inquiry.

Justice B Rajendran, admitting the petition filed by A Asan Jaffar Ali, asked the EC advocate to get the reply from the commission.

The petitioner submitted that he and his friend saw DMK MLA Malairaja distributing Rs 1,000 each at Vennarapettai on Mar 19 as advance for casting vote. They told the public that another Rs 2,000 would be paid later, he submitted.

When he approached the Returning Officer and the Police Commissioner, they refused to accept the complaint. The RO said he would look into the complaint himself.

The local Police Inspector said he would enquire only if orders were issued by the RO, the petitioner said, adding he later sent the complaint by Registered Post on Mar 23.

The Inspector said an FIR had been filed against Khan, but refused to accept the complaint sent by Registered Post and returned it, he submitted.

He said since subsequently the Chief Electoral Officer had sent a show cause notice and police had registered an FIR, Khan's nomination should be withheld.

"If Khan's act of giving cash to voters is proved he will be debarred. Unless some direction was given (by the court), the CEO and the District Election Officer and the Returning Officer will not take swift action," he said.

PTI