TN Assembly polls: EC serves notice to AIADMK, DMK for violation in manifestos

The Election Commission on Saturday issued notice to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for poll code violation in their manifestos.

The notices have been sent to AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa and DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi. The commission has asked them to respond on the matter till tomorrow evening.

The commission in its notice has referred to the complaint of Steil M.G.Devasahayam and others against the Election Manifesto released by the AIADMK and DMK, which alleges that the parties have made some promises which are against the guidelines.

"The Commission has gone through your Party manifesto and has prima facie found that your manifesto has not substantially fulfilled the guidelines of the Commission on Election manifestos as mentioned above. Now, therefore, the Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand for non-compliance of the aforesaid guidelines of the Commission and also reflect the rationale for the promises made in your manifesto and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirements for the same by 5.00 P.M. on May 15, falling which the Commission shall take further appropriate action against your party without further reference to you," EC said.

The campaigning for the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry ended today evening.

The polling for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 140 constituencies in Kerala and 30 seats in Puducherry will be held on May 16.

The counting of votes in these states, along with Assam and West Bengal will be taken up on Thursday.

Tamil Nadu has 234 assembly seats. In the 2011 assembly elections, AIADMK had won 150, DMDK-29, DMK-23, CPM-10, CPI-9 and others-13 seats respectively.