This Article is From Mar 25, 2011

High Court bench dismisses plea to postpone elections

Madurai: The Madurai bench of Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed a written petition filed by an independent candidate seeking a direction to postpone the elections by ten days.

Justice K Venkataraman said the petitioner was not serious about filing the petition and had sent his memorandum to the Chief Electoral officer of Tamil Nadu and Election Commission only on March 21 though he had filed his nomination papers on March 19.

Besides, the election process had gained momentum and reached a serious stage wherein the court could not interfere.

The petitioner Murugarajan, representing Tamil Nadu V.O.C.Associations' Federation, submitted that he had filed his nomination for contesting in Tiruchi west constituency. There were 1.92 lakh voters in the constituency.

While parties with their "symbol", already well known to the public, could campaign from date of announcement of the elections itself, candidates like him would get to know about the symbol only on March 30, when the symbol would be allotted to him, it was submitted.

From March 31, they would have only 12 days time for campaigning. But under the Representation of People Act, a candidate should have 14 days. Besides there would not be level playing field, especially with regard to the period of campaign with symbol, it was contended.

The petitioner said it would take one day for meeting 10,000 voters and he would have to meet 1.92 lakh voters. He had sent a representation to the Election Commission, but no action had been taken so far. Hence the court should direct the Election Commission to postpone the elections, to be held on April 13, by ten days, the petitioner submitted.

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