Petitions to defer poll date citing Chithirai fest, Maundy Thursday, dismissed

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad on recording the submissions made by EC as regards Maundy Thursday, said, “The EC in the detailed counter affidavit, has explained steps taken for smooth elections, taking note of the difficulties, presumably felt by the petitioners and given instructions to the District Election Officers to consider the representations, if any made, and to redress the same.”

Also, noting that they are satisfied with the steps taken by the EC for holding free and fair elections in Madurai, the bench said, “We only direct the authorities to ensure that adequate measures are taken, so that people can cast their votes without any difficulty.”

“We also direct the authorities to ensure that adequate publicity is given to inform people that the time to cast their vote, has been extended from 5 pm to 8 pm,” the bench added.