Respond to AIADMK's Plea On Local Body Elections: Madras High Court Directs TN Election Commission

The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC) to respond to a representation made by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to deploy government staff such as CRPF and CISF personnel for the local body polls that are slated to take place on October 6 for 9 districts in Tamil Nadu. 

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P Audikesavalu was informed by senior advocate Vijay Narayan appearing for AIADMK that the State Election Commission had failed to respond to a representation dated September 14 containing AIADMK's suggestions.

The AIADMK in its representation had advocated for the implementation of various measures to ensure purity in the election process. The leading party had also wanted the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel during the poll process.

The Bench noted that the suggestions had been put forward by a major political party that was in power until recently and thus directed the State Election Commission to respond to the representation made by the principal Opposition party in the State by September 29. 

"To the extent that the suggestions require some measures to be taken by the State Election Commission as were taken in course of the immediate previous local bodies' elections, the State Election Commission should ensure that such measures are put in place. In any event, the State Election Commission should respond to the petitioner's representation by September 29, 2021", the Court observed in its order. 

Accordingly, the Bench listed the matter for further hearing on September 30 so that further orders, if necessary, could be passed on that day for free and fair conduct of the local body polls on October 6.

Case Title: AIADMK v. Tamil Nadu State Election Commission and anr

Click Here To Read/Download Order