Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared Tiruvadanai Assembly constituency in the district as ‘expenditure sensitive’ and ordered deployment of an additional flying squad following complaints of spurt in cash transactions and attempts to distribute money to voters.
On the directive of the ECI, District Election Officer and Collector S. Natarajan deployed the additional flying squad on Monday in a bid to tighten vigil and prevent distribution of money to the voters.
The flying squad, comprising revenue officials and paramilitary personnel, would mount round-the-clock surveillance along with the three flying squads already deployed for the segment, Superintendent of Police N. Manivannan said on Tuesday.
The deployment of additional flying squad was necessitated after public lodged complaints with the Election Commission, alleging that candidates of main political parties had stacked cash for distribution to the voters, the SP said.
The AIADMK has fielded actor S. Karunas, founder-leader of Mukulathor Pulipadai, its ally, and the DMK T. Diwakaran, district secretary and son of former Minister and incumbent MLA Suba Thangavelan.
The BJP has fielded Devanathan Yadav, DMDK, V. Manimaran, and Naam Tamilar Katchi R. Rajiv Gandhi. Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder-leader P. John Pandian has also entered the fray in the multi-cornered contest.
The district police coordinated with the flying squads and static surveillance teams in the district and charted measures for conducting free and fair polling in all sensitive and vulnerable areas.
Members of Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) carried out flag marches in areas, where sensitive polling stations were located to instil confidence in the minds of people, he said.
The police, on their part, executed pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs) and made trouble mongers to execute bonds for keeping peace and good behaviour during elections, he said.
