21 hrs ago
Election Official Removed After Alleged Whistle Vote Direction
During a by-election in Dharapuram, an elderly voter named Jeyisin Bibi asked for help at a polling station.
The DMK said an official told her to choose the Whistle symbol, although she wanted the Rising Sun symbol.
Bibi later said she voted for the Rising Sun.
DMK supporters protested, and voting was stopped for a time.
Reports differ on how long the interruption lasted: one says 90 minutes, while another says nearly an hour.
The official, Thangamani, was transferred, and Rajammal replaced her.
One report said police helped calm the crowd and more than 100 officers were deployed.
Another said the complaint would be sent to the Election Commission after an inquiry.
During the Dharapuram bypoll on Tuesday, DMK alleged a polling official directed an elderly voter toward TVK’s Whistle symbol.
The voter, Jeyisin Bibi, said she wanted the DMK’s Rising Sun symbol and later cast her vote for it.
DMK cadres protested at the polling station in Kolinjivadi, disrupting voting; reports put the halt at 90 minutes or nearly an hour.
The official, Thangamani, who was responsible for applying indelible ink, was transferred and Rajammal took her place.
One report said Dharapuram police intervened and more than 100 personnel were deployed; another said an inquiry would be conducted and the complaint forwarded to the Election Commission.
- Who
- Jeyisin Bibi, polling official Thangamani, DMK cadres, and replacement official Rajammal.
- What
- DMK alleged that Thangamani directed Bibi to vote for TVK’s Whistle symbol; Thangamani was transferred and Rajammal appointed in her place.
- Where
- Kolinjivadi Municipal Middle School complex, Dharapuram, Tirupur district.
- When
- Tuesday, during the Dharapuram bypoll; no calendar date was stated.
- Why
- The allegation that the polling official directed a voter toward a party symbol prompted protests and a temporary halt to polling.
DMK’s allegation
Election response reported
What happened at the polling station
DMK’s allegation
The DMK alleged that the official directed Jeyisin Bibi to vote for the Whistle symbol despite her wish to vote for the Rising Sun.
Election response reported
The reports say the complaint was to be investigated and forwarded to the Election Commission; they do not provide a response from Thangamani or a finding on the allegation.
Key facts
- Election
- Dharapuram bypoll
- Voter
- Jeyisin Bibi, 65
- Allegation
- DMK said an official asked Bibi to vote for TVK’s Whistle symbol, though she wanted the DMK’s Rising Sun symbol.
- Polling location
- Kolinjivadi Municipal Middle School complex
- Official transferred
- Thangamani, responsible for applying indelible ink
- Replacement
- Rajammal
- Polling halt
- Reported as 90 minutes in one account and nearly an hour in another.
Sources
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