Stalin alleges foul play in Tamil Nadu civic poll vote counting

DMK chief MK Stalin on Thursday (January 2) alleged polling officials did not announce the results of the recently concluded local body elections in the wards even after counting was completed. Taking a dig at Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK government, he said the dispensation is trying to create confusion over the counting of votes.

The counting of votes began on Thursday after the conclusion of the two phases of elections on December 27 and 30. Till 1 pm, votes for the posts of district councillors and union councillors were counted. According to the latest trends, the DMK is leading in most places in union councillor posts and trailing in district councillor posts.

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Alleging malpractices in the counting process, Stalin on Tuesday has complained to the State Election Commission (SEC). Addressing the media after meeting the State Election Commissioner, he said that in Salem’s Edappadi, the hometown of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, officials are delaying the announcement of results.

“The DMK is gaining majority in 80 per cent of the places. AIADMK leaders have colluded with polling officials to prevent our party from winning. Though DMK has won in many places, the officials are withholding the results,” the DMK president alleged.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court has refused an urgent hearing, sought by the DMK, of a petition over the alleged malpractices. The court said it will hear their petition on Friday (January 3) morning.

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