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On Monday, the Madras High Court issued notice to Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner in a plea filed by Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam, Covai seeking permission to campaign against cash for votes during local body polls.

The plea was heard by the bench of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandhari after which the bench directed Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner to consider its representation within two days.

According to the plea the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Corporations were going to be elected through the councilors elected in the respective Corporation Wards. Likewise, Chairman and Vice-Chairman were also going to be elected by the Councilors.

As a result, the candidates and his aides were intensively taking steps to give bribe for voters in the form of cash, goods, or services with intent to get their due amount in the political horse trading while electing the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

It was submitted by the petitioner that, “The candidates spending huge money to bribe voters to get elected could not be expected to do good for the people. Offering people material inducements for their votes was against the law" and "bribery was a blight on our democracy" perverting "the very purpose of elections.”

“Though the 1 Respondent is making attempt to prevent the distribution of cash for votes, they are not in a position to curb it effectively,” stated the plea.

It has been submitted that seizures of illicit intoxicants, cash, and gold in some places would prove intention of candidates to give cash for votes.

In such circumstances, the petitioner said that he sought to create awareness among the residents of Coimbatore about ill-effects of cash for votes.

Cause Title: Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam, Covai vs TN State Election Commission