Thirumavalan filed poll petition

Chennai, Aug 18 (PTI) The Madras High Court today orderedissue of notice to Election Commission of India and AIADMK’s NMurugumaran, who won the May 16 assembly poll by 87 votes inKattumannarkoil constituency in Cuddalore district, on apetition by VCK’s Thol Thirumavalavan, who lost the polls. Justice M Duraiswamy while admitting the petition,directed Murugumaran and the Returning officer to file theirreply within four weeks and posted the matter for furtherhearing to September 16. Thirumavalavan contended that police and other electionofficials turned a blind eye to the lapses and contraventionsand deliberate violations of the code of conduct by the AIADMKcandidate, including distribution of money. He further submitted that on the date of counting, theReturning Officer "improperly and contrary" to the rulesdisregarded a total number of 102 postal votes. When questioned the RO about the rejection of postalvotes, refused to provide any reasons he alleged.  He submitted that his chief election agent Dhanukodi wasnot allowed to clearly witness the counting and further saidthe results of each round of counting was not declaredproperly. He prayed to set aside the election of AIADMK candidate. The court posted the matter for further hearing. PTICORR    RC