HC declares TN civic poll notification null and void

The Madras High Court on Tuesday declared the notification for civic polls in the state, scheduled for October 17 and 19, as null and void, holding that it violated the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Election Rules.

The court directed the State Election Commission to issue a fresh notification for holding local body elections and complete the poll process before December 31.

On a writ plea filed by DMK leader and Rajya Sabha member RS Barathy, the court, in its interim order, declared the poll notification dated September 26 null and void.

The DMK had sought adequate reservation to the Scheduled Tribes, and necessary rotation of seats in all the posts as mandated in the Constitution. Another plea of DMK related to the civic polls is pending in the Supreme Court.

Quashing the notification, the court said, “the notification informing the public about election is to be issued first as per rule 24 (2) (i) of Tamil Nadu Panchayat Rules.” Only thereafter, the poll schedule notification should be published according to rule 24 (1), it said.