The Madurai District Collector and District Election Officer, U. Sagayam, has submitted before the Madras High Court that he had never said a change of government should come through election.
In his counter to a writ petition, he said his statement at various meetings had been misinterpreted.
At the meetings held as part of the ‘election awareness campaign,' at Fathima College, Meenakshi College and Lady Doak College, he had stressed the need for a change of mind among voters to avoid accepting bribes for votes.
As the District Election Officer, his responsibility was confined to ensuring smooth, free and fair conduct of polls and simultaneously creating awareness of the importance of participation in electoral process for a stronger democracy.
The underlying motive of his speech was that a change of mind was essential to safeguard the people from being bribed.
The petitioner, Sathiavani of Munthirithope, Annanagar, Madurai, alleged that Mr. Sagayam while participating in the awareness campaign meetings, had told the students “that the change should come through elections.” The Collector's speech indirectly conveyed the message that “the change should come in the State with regard to the ruling party.”
This would influence voters, the petitioner said. Meanwhile, an advocate, P. Rathinam, has filed a petition seeking to implead himself in the writ petition.
He submitted that the writ petition contained “unimaginable allegations” against “an honest and sincere civil servant.”
