Nominations open for Madurantakam, Dharapuram Assembly bypolls from today

Chennai: The nomination process for bye-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu begins on Wednesday, setting the electoral machinery in motion in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts.

Candidates may file their papers until September 16. Officials have made arrangements at the designated election offices to receive and scrutinise the documents, while security and surveillance measures have been strengthened in both constituencies.

In Dharapuram, a reserved constituency, an election office has been established at the Regional Transport Office.

Returning Officer and Regional Transport Officer Felix Raj is supervising the preparations. Nomination forms have been kept ready and surveillance cameras installed at the office as part of the security arrangements.

The bye-election was necessitated after AIADMK legislator Sathyabama, who won the constituency in the Assembly election four months ago, resigned her seat.

The Election Commission subsequently declared the constituency vacant and announced the bye-election. Nine flying squads have been constituted in Dharapuram to monitor violations and the movement of unaccounted cash.

Officials warned that anyone carrying more than Rs 50,000 without valid supporting documents could have the money seized.

In Madurantakam, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force. The Chengalpattu district administration has opened an election control room at the Collectorate to receive complaints and ensure prompt action.

Members of the public may lodge complaints at any time through helplines 1950, 1800-425-7088 and 044-27427412. The constituency has 285 polling stations and 2,13,689 electors, comprising 1,04,886 men, 1,08,738 women and 65 transgender voters.

Nine flying squads and nine static surveillance teams have been deployed to monitor election-related activity.

District Collector Veerappan also chaired a consultation with representatives of recognised political parties, including the TVK, DMK, AIADMK, BJP and Congress, to explain the rules and arrangements.

Following the announcement of the poll schedule, authorities began removing political wall advertisements, posters and banners from government property and public places.

Candidates and parties have been instructed to obtain prior permission through the Election Commission’s online application system for campaign meetings, loudspeakers, vehicle rallies and temporary party offices.

Election officials said enforcement teams would maintain close surveillance throughout the nomination and campaign period to ensure compliance with expenditure rules and the MCC in both constituencies. Officials urged voters to report suspected violations immediately.

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