Campaigning for the by-polls to the RK Nagar Assembly constituency will end on Monday at 5 pm with polling to be held on April 12.
Even as the political parties, including the two factions of the ruling AIADMK and the main Opposition DMK, campaign aggressively, there is a question mark on whether the polling will happen as scheduled. The Election Commission is in consultations with State election officials on widespread allegations of voters being bribed.
Opposition parties, including the break-away faction of the ruling party led by O Panneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, which is contesting under the name of AIADMK Puratchithalaivi Amma, and the DMK, have alleged that the ruling party faction, AIADMK Amma, is bribing voters.
On Friday, the Income Tax Department conducted searches at various locations, including the residences and business establishments of Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar and his close associates.
The IT Department’s report on the outcome of the searches has been submitted to the Election Commission. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni was in Delhi on Sunday in a day-long meeting with the Commission.
This has raised concerns on whether the polling will be conducted as scheduled, bringing back memories of the postponement of Thanjavur and Aravakurichi elections during the 2016 Assembly elections, following seizures of large amounts of cash by election officials.
For now, preparations are underway as scheduled for the polling on April 12, which will start on at 7.00 am and go on till 5.00 pm.
The authorities have also come out with a set of regulations under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, an official release said.
After the close of campaigning on Monday, no one should convene, hold or attend any public meeting or procession in connection with the election, or display any election matter over any media. Any violation is punishable with imprisonment for two years or fine or both.
All political functionaries from outside the constituency should leave immediately after 5.00 pm on Monday. Vehicle permits given to candidates and star campaigners will also cease to be valid.
Opinion poll is prohibited between 5.00 pm on Monday to 5.00 pm on April 12. Exit polls have already been banned from 7.00 am on Sunday 6.30 pm on April 12.