Wednesday, December 21 2005 13:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Madras High Court today (Dec 21,2005) dismissed a petition filed by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), seeking to restrain the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) from taking any legal action against party functionaries in connection with the bulk of names in the electoral rolls.

Stating that there was 'no merit' in the petition, a Division Bench, comprising Justice R Balasubramanian and Justice M Thanickachalam dismissed the petition filed by AIADMK election wing secretary, O Paneerselvam.

On June 8, 2005, the Election Commission had directed election authorities concerned to file cases against office bearers of political parties that filed bulk applications, which did not stand scrutiny under Section 31 of the Representation of People Act (RPA), 1950.

Following complaints by the DMK of large-scale inclusion of bogus voters in the electoral rolls by AIADMK, the EC had sent a team to the state to verify the allegations.

Based on the report filed by the team, the CEC on June 8 directed election authorities concerned to file cases in the issue. The CEC, however, did not name any political party.