DMK, PMK allege booth-capturing, demand re-poll

CHENNAI: The DMK on Monday alleged that there was large-scale booth capturing in Chennai and demanded a re-poll in several booths spread across nine wards in the city, while the PMK sought a re-poll for the entire Chennai Corporation area making the same charges.DMK treasurer M K Stalin, after casting his vote at Sarada High School booth in Gopalapuram, complained to the media of the scant police presence in many constituencies, which in some areas resulted in AIADMK men capturing booths. He also said that web cameras had not been installed in 85 per cent of booths, despite the recent Madras High Court order that all booths in Chennai must be videographed. In a complaint submitted to State Election Commissioner S Ayyar and Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan, the DMK said there was large-scale booth capturing and heavy bogus voting from 2 pm. The representation signed by DMK legal wing secretary R Bharathi demanded re-polling in 50 booths in Wards 1, 103, 111, 117, 126 and 130. The DMK also sought repolling in all booths in Wards 49 and 50, and in all booths except Stella Maris and P & T Quarters in ward 118.PMK founder S Ramadoss, in a statement here, charged that the ruling party had captured many booths with the help of the police. He said videographing was not done in more than 90 per cent of the booths. The SEC should order re-poll for the entire Chennai Corporation area, failing which the PMK will move the High Court, Ramadoss said.