DMK Alleges Evidence of Electoral Irregularities in Stalin's Kolathur Constituency

Chennai: DMK leader N R Elango alleged that there was evidence of electoral irregularities in the Kolathur constituency, where former Chief Minister M K Stalin was defeated. The allegation was made while the inspection of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was under way.

Following a complaint filed by the DMK, the Election Commission began examining the machines used in 14 polling booths on the 30th. The seven-day inspection has now completed three days. Party leaders said they would pursue legal action over the issue.

The DMK alleged that during mock polling involving between 500 and 1,400 votes, the light on the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine stopped functioning after 412 votes. However, District Election Officer G S Sameeran said the issue was only a technical malfunction and that the inspection would continue.

DMK representatives also alleged that clear guidelines were not followed while matching the data from the EVM control units with the VVPAT records. They further complained that officials had failed to act despite applications for the inspection of the voting machines being submitted within the prescribed time limit.

DMK leaders said that issues had also been identified during the inspection of voting machines in the Uthiramerur constituency in Kancheepuram district.

In the Kolathur constituency, Stalin was defeated by TVK candidate V. S. Babu by a margin of 8,795 votes.

In Uthiramerur, DMK candidate K. Sundar lost to the TVK candidate by 14,223 votes.