Senthil Balaji and Palanisamy can contest in Aravakurichi constituency, TN chief electoral officer says

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni on Tuesday said Senthil Balaji of AIADMK and K C Palanisamy of DMK have not been debarred from contesting the elections in Aravakurichi assembly constituency though their names figure in poll violation cases.
Balaji and Palanisamy were the candidates of their respective parties during the assembly election in May. However, the Election Commission countermanded the poll in Aravakurichi along with that in Thanjavur constituency in the wake allegations of corrupt practices by the parties.
The Election Commission on Monday announced that election would be held in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi along with the byelection in Tiruparankundram constituency on November 19.
Talking to TOI, Lakhoni said, "Though their names figure in poll violation cases, Balaji and Palanisamy can contest from Aravakurichi as the Election Commission has not debarred them from contesting.”
Flying squads have been appointed in all the three constituencies soon after the election dates were announced. Two officials would be appointed as observers in each constituency, said Lakhoni.
Meanwhile, DMK on Tuesday invited applications from prospective candidates for election in all the three constituencies.
DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan said the applicants should submit their application forms at the party headquarters -- Anna Arivalayam – in Chennai by October 20. Interview will be held the next day.