Members of the Kovai Pengal Aadai Thayarippalar Kooturavu Kudisai Thozhil Sangam, a cooperative organisation of women tailors, on Tuesday staged a demonstration in the city demanding that a free and fair re-election be held for the society. R. Velusamy, general secretary, Kovai Mavatta Thaiyal Kalaingargal Sangam, who led the protests, said that in the election that was held to the society on April 5 the members of the ruling party were allowed to have a free run.
Anticipating such malpractices, the members of the society had on April 1 petitioned the Commissioner of Police seeking protection for the members to exercise their franchise.
As the polling commenced many of the cooperative society members were forced out of the polling booth.
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Mr. Velusamy alleged that as against the 1,348 voters, more than 2,000 AIADMK members had gathered at the venue to vote. The society members’ plea to insist on identify card or other documents from voters fell on deaf ears.
Around 300 women participated in the demonstration.