This is not the first time that the Election Commission of India has countermanded polls in Tamil Nadu, especially after allegations of the use of money power to influence voters.
It is deeply shameful and a pointer to what ails the election process in the State. It is also distressing that a culture of corruption and bribery is taking deep root in the State. Almost every high-profile constituency in the State is reporting a huge flow of money to influence voters. At the same time, one cannot be oblivious to charges being levelled by the Opposition of “selective raids” by Central agencies. (Page 1, “Vellore poll cancelled over cash seizures”, April 17).
M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Seizure of money has become routine at the time of elections, but no one seems to be getting punished. Politics has become a channel to mint money and this is dangerous in a democracy. The EC appears to be leaden-footed.
Sravana Ramachandran,
Chennai
There is no doubt that money dictates elections in Tamil Nadu. The report makes me recall what a security personnel in an apartment complex near our house told me while I was out on my morning walk recently. He said he had received money from various “political agents”, which came to a total of ₹3,100, but was confused about who to vote for. He also said he wanted to vote for the party which has the symbol of two leaves — according to him it always “had the welfare of the poor in mind”. In the same breath, he said he did not want to vote for the party at the Centre. He had a hard time believing me when I told him that both the parties he had mentioned were in an alliance in the State. No prizes for guessing which parties these are.
Shanti Soundararajan,
Chennai
Seizure of money has Elections to the Vellore Lok Sabha contituency is reported to have been countermanded following recovery of huge amount of cash allegedly by the associate of a candidate for bribing the voters. This has become routine at the time of elections, but R K Nagar by poll was postponed not long ago for the same reason in TN. no one seems to be getting punished. Politics has become a channel to mint money and is dangerous in a This is not fair for a democracy. The Election Commission appears to be lead-footedis toothless. Representation of the people’s act needs to be overhauled. The Supreme Court should make the politicians realise that and do the needful.
Sravana Ramachandran,
Chennai
Perhaps the EC could have made a decision soon after the huge haul of money earlier in the month as there was enough and more evidence of rampant cash distribution. It was also common knowledge that the election was likely to be cancelled. A quick decision could have saved a lot of man-hours for different departments, arrangements by election authorities and consequent expenses.
S.V. Venkatakrishnan,
Bengaluru
