Yercaud bypoll: HC issues notice to Salem Collector

The Madras High Court today issued notice to the Salem Collector, also the returning officer for the December 4 Yercaud bypoll, on a petition by DMK candidate V Maran, seeking his transfer over his alleged bias to the ruling AIADMK.

The judge after hearing the arguments, ordered notice to Collector and directed Maran's counsel to serve the notice and adjourned the hearing to next week.

DMK had yesterday charged ruling AIADMK with distributing cash and lodged a complaint with Election Observer Ravi Prakash Arora, seeking transfer of the Collector to ensure fair polling.

The party had said that unless he was transferred, there would not be fair polling.

They alleged that government assistance and cash were being distributed at night and apprehended that the AIADMK might plan to capture booths in hilly areas.

Polling in Yercaud Assembly constituency will be held on December 4. The bypoll has been necessitated following the death of AIADMK MLA C Perumal.