“EC can take action even after polling”

The Election Commission can countermand Assembly elections to constituencies even after polling if it receives high number of complaints of money distribution to voters in such areas, Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar said on Monday.

The Commission was closely watching the situation. “They can take any action. They can postpone the polls or countermand them even after the polling,” Mr Praveen Kumar told a press conference here, responding to questions on the issue of money distribution to voters.

The CEO did acknowledge that the number of cases of illegal gratification had gone up in the last few days. The total number was 975.

As regards seizure of cash, an amount of Rs. 33.11 crore in cash and Rs.12.58 crore in kind were seized. A sum of Rs. 5.18 crore was returned to persons concerned on verification.

On the notices served on All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant, the CEO said the two leaders had sent their replies directly to the Commission.

As for cases of paid news, two complaints had been received, one of which was received on Monday. The other complaint pertained to a Tamil daily, whose name he did not divulge.

The State had about 4.71 crore voters, of whom men accounted for 2.37 crore and women 2.34 crore. The number of transgenders was 1,169. There would be 54,314 polling stations.

Those with disabilities who were using wheel chairs could take the chairs up to ballot units for exercising their franchise. Differently abled did not have to stand in queues. Instead, they could straightaway enter polling booths to cast their votes.