EC seeks explanation from AIADMK on misrepresentation of 'electric pole' symbol

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Mar. 31 (ANI): The Election Commission on Friday sought an explanation from the All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhgam (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) on misrepresentation of their symbol 'electric pole'. The party has been asked to file its reply on or before 9 a.m. of April 4. A complaint was received in the commission that the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma), a splinter group of original AIADMK party, which was allotted the symbol 'electric pole', in its wall posters and social media has claimed their symbol 'Two Lamps' with the intention to create an impression in the minds of the voters that the commission has allotted them a symbol with resemblance to the original symbol of the party, i.e. 'two leaves'. The Commission has made further investigation into the matter and gone through the posters, social media messages and has found substance in the said complaint. As per the poll panel, disseminating wrong information or confuse the voters is a corrupt practice defined under Sec. 123(4) of the Representation of the Peoples Act,1951, which reads, "The publication by a candidate or his agent or by any other person (with the consent of a candidate or his election agent), of any statement of fact which is false, and which he either believes to be false or does not believe to be true, in relation to the personal character or conduct of any candidate, or in relation to the candidature, or withdrawal, or any candidate, being a statement reasonably calculated to prejudice the prospects of that candidate's election", and "publication of any false statement at election is an electoral offence under section 171G, lndian Penal Code (IPC)." The poll panel had decided to freeze the AIADMK election symbol of 'two leaves', after representatives of former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam and Sasikala factions made their claims for it. "Neither of the two groups shall be permitted to use the symbol 'Two Leaves' of the AIADMK," the Election Commission stated. The poll panel also asked both the factions to choose a new symbol to contest the current by-polls in R.K. Nagar. The Commission further permitted both factions a further and final opportunity of adducing documents and affidavits latest by April 17. Earlier on Tuesday, Sasikala-led AIADMK faction filed a petition before the commission staking claim to the party's symbol. Panneerselvam-led group had last week claimed that the party symbol rightfully belonged to it as Sasikala's election as the AIADMK general secretary was 'invalid and illegal'. The tussle over party symbol began in view of the by-elections to the R.K. Nagar assembly constituency in Chennai on April 12. The constituency was held by late former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. (ANI)