‘Names of 100,000 voters missing,’ Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai demands re-polling in some seats

‘Names of 100,000 voters missing,’ Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai demands re-polling in some seats

The chief of Tamil Nadu’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit, K Annamalai, said Friday (Apr 19) that the names of a large number of voters were missing from the voters’ list, while demanding re-polling in some areas. “We are demanding re-poll in places where the names of a large number of voters were missing,” he said.

Annamalai also cautioned that some political interference may have caused the removal of the names of numerous BJP cadres from the voters’ list.

“There are several discrepancies as names of many who came from abroad to vote were deleted, the members of the same family were assigned in different and faraway booths and in one single booth, names of 830 persons were deleted. Even though such issues are common, it has happened on a massive scale in this poll,” Annamalai was quoted as saying in media reports.

He further stated that the names of 100,000 voters were missing from the list, although he said the Election Commission had done its duty in a free and fair manner.

“What is the point in holding polls after deleting the names of 60 percent of voters in a booth? How will the people get confidence in democracy? All these issues are documented and submitted as complaints to election authorities,” he asked.

DMK hits back

State ruling party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) hit back at Annamalai, saying he had already conceded defeat in the elections.

DMK spokesperson Salem Dharanidharan said, “He is shedding crocodile tears. He is just conceding defeat even before results are out. Coming days, he will be giving 100s of other reasons but never take responsibility for his loss. Annamalai is not only going to lose Coimbatore, but he is gonna lose deposit also. The voters of Coimbatore have once again dismissed the divisive politics of the BJP.”

Tamil Nadu turnout

All 39 Lok Sabha seats went into polling on April 19, and by 8 pm, 72.09 per cent of the electorate turned up at the election booths.

Three parties—BJP, DMK and AIADMK—are vying for political dominance in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)