HC orders notices on petitions challenging election of 3 candidates Chennai, July 26 (PTI): The Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice on the

HC orders notices on petitions challenging election of 3 candidates

Chennai, July 26 (PTI): The Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice on the petitions from the respective defeated candidates challenging the election of DMK minister D Duraimurugan from Katpadi Assembly constituency in Vellore district, former AIADMK minister C Vijayabaskar from Viralimalai in Pudukottai district and AIADMK candidate Jayakumar from Perundurai constituency in Erode district.

Justice V Bharathidasan ordered the notice to the respective successful candidates and the Election Commission of India, returnable by September 6.

In his election petition, V Ramu of Gudiyatam, the AIADMK candidate, submitted that the rival candidate D Duraimuguran won the election held on April 6 by a thin margin of 746 votes. He alleged that the counting of postal votes was not conducted in the manner envisaged and mandated under the Conduct of Election Rules and the Representation of the People Act, which materially affected his prospects. The Returning Officer failed to refer to the Handbook for Returning Officers issued by the Election Commission of India, he contended and sought to declare the election of Duraimurugan as void, order re-verification and re-count of all the postal ballots and all the votes in certain polling booths and consequently declare him as elected.

In his petition, the defeated DMK candidate M Palaniappam challenged the election of C Vijayabaskar of the AIADMK from the Viralimalai constituency by a margin of 23,644 votes. He alleged that Vijayabaskar (former Health Minister) had misused his official position and indulged in corrupt practices.

The third petitioner is KKC Balu of Kongunadu Desiya Makkal Katchi, who contested under the banner of the DMK and was defeated by a margin of 14,507 votes by AIADMK candidate Jayakumar.
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