Report sought from Madurai collector on poll date change request

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo on March 11 said Madurai collector S Natarajan has been asked to submit a report regarding the conduct of election on April 18 which coincides with Madurai’s temple festival.

“We have sought a report from the Madurai collector. We will take a decision after that. For now, I have not received any memorandum from political parties,” the CEO said.

Meanwhile, representatives of some political parties in Madurai submitted a memorandum to collector Natarajan requesting change in election date as April 18 coincides with the Chithirai festival in Madurai, an important event in the city which witnesses lakhs of devotees from Madurai and surrounding districts.

The Madurai collector said the district officials had earlier informed the Election Commission of India that the local holiday in Madurai was April 19. He also added that the officials were ready to increase the duration of polling due to the temple festival. A petition to postpone the election was also moved at the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on March 11.