The candidates from Ward No.32, except for the DMK member Parthiban who won the elections in ward 32, have submitted a petition seeking re-elections at the Ward alleging that EVMs had been changed in favor of the winning candidate.
Coimbatore: Candidates of Ward No. 32 in Coimbatore district have demanded re-election, except for the DMK candidate, Parthiban who won the polls.
The Urban Local Body elections were held on February 19 with counting votes on February 22. The counting for the 100 Wards of the Corporation was held at the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore. The ruling party DMK had a sweeping victory in the city.
A total of 14 candidates, belonging to political parties as well as contesting as individuals in Ward No. 32 finally resulted in Parthiban of DMK winning the seat.
However, the other 13 candidates who alleged irregularity in counting, walked out of the counting room to stage a dharna inside the college campus, claiming that the EVMs had been changed.
The candidates who walked out submitted a petition to District Collector G S Sameeran alleging that the rope tied to the EVMs had been separated and the seal removed. The petition mentioned that Election Officials refused to respond properly upon questioning.
The added allegations were also that booth agents tried to count votes without showing them the numbers other than the EVM number in the ballot box, and the signatures of booth agents differed.
They also noted that there was a three-hour power cut in the strong room, where the machines were kept from about 12 am to 3 am on February 21. The candidates alleged that there had been irregularities in the ballot boxes and demanded re-election in Ward No. 32.
The Urban Local Body elections were held on February 19 with counting votes on February 22. The counting for the 100 Wards of the Corporation was held at the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore. The ruling party DMK had a sweeping victory in the city.
A total of 14 candidates, belonging to political parties as well as contesting as individuals in Ward No. 32 finally resulted in Parthiban of DMK winning the seat.
However, the other 13 candidates who alleged irregularity in counting, walked out of the counting room to stage a dharna inside the college campus, claiming that the EVMs had been changed.
The candidates who walked out submitted a petition to District Collector G S Sameeran alleging that the rope tied to the EVMs had been separated and the seal removed. The petition mentioned that Election Officials refused to respond properly upon questioning.
The added allegations were also that booth agents tried to count votes without showing them the numbers other than the EVM number in the ballot box, and the signatures of booth agents differed.
They also noted that there was a three-hour power cut in the strong room, where the machines were kept from about 12 am to 3 am on February 21. The candidates alleged that there had been irregularities in the ballot boxes and demanded re-election in Ward No. 32.