Chennai, Feb 21 (BPNS)

The opposition AIADMK has demanded the presence of more security forces in the 268 counting centres for the February 19 urban local body polls. The counting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 22.

The party has given a memorandum to the Chief Election Observer stating that the DMK workers will create problems at the counting centres and that the ruling party cadres would reach the counting centres in large numbers. The AIADMK also said that the DMK workers may be armed also and hence heavy police security is required for the counting centres.

Party legislators and former minister and party organizing secretary, D. Jayakumar also met the Chief election observer of Tamil Nadu and presented him the memorandum regarding allocation of more powers.

Former Minister and AIADMK legislator, S.P. Velumani said that in Coimbatore district where he is in charge of the AIADMK said that the DMK had reportedly given oral instructions to election officials and police officers to cooperate with the party workers deployed at the counting centres.

Speaking to BPNS, the former minister said, “The DMK will go to any extent to capture the power and we have reliable and credible information that the party is planning major violence at the counting centres in Coimbatore district and oral instructions have already been given to the officials including police officers to cooperate with the DMK workers who will unleash violence.”

The memorandum also suggested the Chief Election Observer announce the results immediately which would be video graphed on the orders of the Madras High Court.

A senior leader of the AIADMK told BPNS that the DMK workers would go to any extent to create unrest in the counting centres.