Chennai, Feb 20 (BPNS)

AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami said that the State election commission did not conduct the Urban local body elections in a democratic manner. He said that the State election commission has turned into a puppet in the hands of the ruling party.

Speaking to media persons at Salem on Sunday, the state opposition leader said that the DMK workers had indulged in bogus voting at Chennai corporation.

He said that the people were ready to go out and vote but the police did not create a safe situation for the people to vote without fear.

Palaniswami said that goons were seen roaming in the streets of Chennai and Coimbatore leading to the people not coming out to vote in elections. He said that police were not providing the necessary security to the citizens to ensure free and fair voting.

The former Chief Minister said that the law and order situation was better during the 2021 assembly elections. He said that DMK workers had resorted to bogus voting in wards 114 and 115 in Chennai as also several other wards.

The AIADMK leader said that police did not take any measures to stop the cash distribution done by the DMK workers and said that the DMK indulged in such tactics due to its reading that it has lost standing among the people of Tamil Nadu.

Edappadi K. Palaniswami said that the state police must ensure proper security during the counting of votes.