Even as complaints of wooing voters with gifts have been received by officials in different places of the district, vehicle check up has been intensified to prevent transportation of cash and materials.
Though the campaigning is yet to reach its peak as notable political heavy weights except the Dravida Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader, Vijayakanth, keep away from the district, there have been reports that a section of candidates and their supporters distributed gifts and cash in a few areas to woo the voters.
There are no major complaints about those contesting on symbols of political parties particularly in urban areas, but officials receive complaints of independent candidates distributing gifts and other items to the voters.
Towel, lock and key, comb, key, ladder, spectacle, basket are among those preferred by the independent candidates to distribute to the voters. These things are among the symbols allotted to independent candidates.
Though the complaints are widespread in nature, it is said that the complaints are rampant in 1st grade village panchayats and the panchayats, which are adjacent to municipalities and prominent town panchayats.
Several residents of Sakkarakottai and Pattinamkathan panchayats near Ramanathapuram, which are witnessing tough fights among various candidates, were given gifts by candidates. A few colonies, which hold the key in deciding the fate of the contestants, were targeted with cash also.
A voter of Armed Reserve quarters, which is part of Sakkarakottai panchayat, told ‘The Hindu' that most of the candidates invariably meet the voters with kind and cash. Many voters were forced to accept the gifts and cash given by the candidates.
The competition is expected to intensify in the coming days.
It was said that the candidates, who had been allotted unfamiliar symbols, were distributing the gifts to familiarise their symbols among voters. Since most of the candidates distributed gifts in line with the symbols, it was cash that was expected to hold the key in some places.
While agreeing that there were reports of distribution of gifts and cash here and there, the election authorities said that three cases were filed in Abiramam Mandapam and Kenikarai police station limits on complaints of distribution of cash and gifts and 16 cases were registered for poll code violations.
As many as 15 mobile parties were formed to detect mass transportation of cash and gifts in the districts. The vehicle check up had been intensified at various check posts and entry points. They would also undertake surprise raids at their respective places to prevent distribution of cash and items to the voters.
