CEC to inspect arrangements from April 6 to 8

Chennai

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said Dr Zaidi would arrive here on April 6 and proceed to Puducherry, where he would review  arrangements made for the polls.

The Chief Election Commissoner would make a similar review in Tamil Nadu on April 7 and 8, the Chief Electoral officer added.

“Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, two Election Commissioners and other officials will hold meetings with political parties on April 7 and Collectors the next day,” Rajesh Lakhoni told reporters.

The CEC said the commission would review the arrangements being made for the conduct of the polls in the state and the UT.

Single phase polling is scheduled in Tamil Nadu on May 16, where a multi-cornered contest involving AIADMK, DMK-Congress, PWF-DMDK and BJP is in the offing.

Earlier, Rajesh Lakhoni released an awareness song sung by rapper Blazee on the need for voting.

To a question, Lakhoni said that the electoral authorities had seized cash to the tune of Rs 17.31 crore in the state since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect on March 4.

However, about Rs 15 crore had been returned “and the intention is to see what cash is being carried for election purpose,” the Chief Electoral officer said.