Thol Thirumavalavan: More than 95 Dalits were not allowed to vote in TN

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, along with more than 95 Dalit villagers of Ponparappi in Ariyalur district, demanded the Election Commission for a repoll to booth number 281, claiming that on April 18 PMK workers had not permitted them from casting votes on Monday.

Along with numerous affidavits from the villagers, Thirumavalavan submitted the petition to chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo, demanding action under Representation of the People Act. "I am a dalit. I was beaten up and chased away by PMK workers when I went to cast my vote," said S Ilangovan of Colony Street.

Thirumavalavan said he had protested to the district election officer on the same day about the violence. "On the following day, I got a reply saying that cases have been filed with the police and there was no need for a fresh poll. A fresh poll should have been ordered under section 58 of the RP Act," he said.

The appeals were progressed to the district election office and further course of action would be taken based on the response said Sahoo. Needful action was taken whenever disagreements were reported, he added. "In Ponparappi, we have not come across such letter either from the Returning Officer or from any official. Observer does not appear to have recommended a repoll," Sahoo told.

Spectators will be present for two days after elections to validate the presiding officers' diary and report to the commission if there is any disagreement, which is the usual practice. Likewise, the RO will send a report to the CEO and latter forward to the commission for action.