Counting on October 20

CHENNAI: Accepting the demand from various political parties, the Election Commission on Monday deferred the counting of votes polled during by-election to the Tiruchy West Assembly constituency from October 17 to 20.  The two-phase elections to local bodies come to an end on October 19.   Political parties had objected to the counting of votes on October 17 arguing that the result would have an impact on the local body elections.Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar said campaign by political parties for the by-election should stop by 5 pm on October 11. Since there are simultaneous elections to local bodies in the State along with the by-election, no attempt should be made to carry on the campaign in the area falling under the Tiruchy West Assembly constituency in guise of campaigning for local body elections.If any campaign for local body elections is done in any area falling under the Assembly constituency, it would amount to campaigning for the candidate fielded for the by-election. In that case, it would be treated as violation of model code of conduct and an offence under Section 126 of the Representation of People’s Act and suitable action would be initiated against the persons/political parties concerned.