DMK moves HC over poll postponement

Chennai: A day after the Election Commission announced that polling for Aravakurichi and Thanjavur assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu would be held on June 13, instead of the originally announced date of May 23, Madras HC has asked the commission to decide on the matter by May 27.
Polling to the two constituencies, originally scheduled to be held along with the remaining 232 constituencies in the state on May 16, was first deferred to May 23 due to allegations of corrupt poll practices and distribution of cash for votes.It was further postponed to June 13, giving rise to the present writ petition from DMK.
R Shanmugasundaram, appearing for the DMK, argued two relevant factors had not been considered. He said the Ramzan fasting by Muslims would commence on June 6 and continue till July 5, and during the period women in the community would not venture out for voting. Secondly, the biennial elections for six vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu have already been announced and nominations are to be filed from May 24.