Election Commission sets up 4-member team for Aravakurichi, Thanjavur

The Election Commission has set up a four-member team to look into alleged malpractices in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies, where polling has been deferred to next week, besides directing deployment of additional teams to ensure free and fair polls.

"The Commission has constituted a four-member team of officers, consisting of General Observers, Expenditure Observer, Police Observer and another officer to look into the cause of large-scale distribution of gifts and money etc," the Election Commission said in a statement.

The EC has also directed that additional teams be provided for every 10 polling stations in these two assembly constituencies "to keep a close watch on the situation and monitor developments to ensure free and fair elections".

Among the 234 constituencies that went to polls on May 16, the EC deferred elections in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies due to alleged distribution of gifts and money. As per the Commission's order, polling for the two constituencies will now be held on May 23.