Madurai CPM, AIADMK candidates demand strict action 

CPM candidate Su Venkatesan said it was a gross negligence on the part of security personnel. Wondering about the purpose of the official’s entry into the strong room at Madurai Government Medical College on Saturday, he said, “It was shocking to learn that a woman Tahsildar entered the strong room, where election related documents were kept and spent nearly three hours inside.” Venkatesan said he became aware of the incident after a store keeper informed him that a photo copy of polling register like document was taken in his shop.

“The woman Tahsildar, who was deputed as Additional Assistant Returning Officer, entered the strong room at 3.30 pm and came out at 6.30 pm on Saturday evening. The room, which the Tahsildar entered, was not sealed,” Venkatesan said on Sunday.

When the issue was taken to the knowledge of Collector and District Election Officer S Natarajan, he denied any such incident. Only after two hours of convincing, the District Election Officer gave permission to access the CCTV footage.

The CPM high command took this serious issue up with the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Sathyaprabha Sahoo and submitted petition seeking a thorough enquiry in to this incident, whether it occurred under anybody’s instruction and sought tight security arrangements in such sensitive places.

Venkatesan also sought action against lack of security in the strong room and demanded suspension of the District Election Commissioner, who should take responsibility for the security lapse that led to the entry of the official.

Meanwhile, AIADMK candidate VVR Raj Satyen also sought a thorough probe into the incident. He wondered, “How Tahsildar Sampooranam could enter the strong room despite a three-tier security systemwas in place.”

“The Tahsildar should not only be placed under suspension, but also a thorough enquiry must be ordered and stern action taken against her if proven guilty,” he added.

Reiterating that the victory of the AIADMK was guaranteed, Raj Satyen said, “The incident raises doubt that somebody had done this with an intent to ruin the opportunity for the AIADMK’s win.” The legal wing of the ruling party would seek permission from the District Election Officer to take stock of arrangements at the counting center, he added.