AIADMK Union Files Complaint Over Alleged Postal Vote Coercion in Salem
In a significant development ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly election scheduled for April 23, the AIADMK's labour wing, the Anna Trade Union Congress, submitted a formal complaint to the Salem district election officer and returning officer, R Brindha Devi, on Wednesday. The union has leveled serious allegations against DMK-affiliated trade unions, accusing them of coercing transport workers into signing consent forms for postal voting, a move they claim violates election commission rules.
Allegations of Improper Distribution and Violations
Speaking to reporters outside the Salem district collector’s office, representatives of the Anna Trade Union Congress asserted that postal ballot applications, specifically Form 12D, were being distributed in an improper and illegal manner. They emphasized that under Election Commission guidelines, only employees performing essential duties on polling day are eligible to vote by postal ballot. While the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is among the departments covered under this provision, the union alleged that the facility was being extended indiscriminately to employees without verifying whether they would actually be on duty that day.
The complaint further detailed that officials at the Salem division of the State Transport Corporation, in coordination with DMK trade union functionaries, were widely distributing these applications under pressure. The union described this as an illegal practice that undermines the integrity of the election process, potentially skewing results through improper voter inclusion.
Violations of Model Code of Conduct
In addition to the postal voting allegations, the Anna Trade Union Congress claimed that certain employees linked to DMK trade unions were being assigned lighter duties to facilitate their participation in election-related activities. This, they argued, constitutes a clear violation of the model code of conduct (MCC), which prohibits government employees from engaging in political activities once the MCC is in effect. The union stressed that such actions not only breach electoral norms but also compromise the fairness and transparency of the democratic process.
Call for Immediate Action
The union has urgently called upon the district election officer to take immediate corrective measures. They have requested that transport corporation officials be warned against violating election rules and that a thorough investigation be conducted into the alleged misconduct. In response, District Election Officer R Brindha Devi assured the union that she would look into the issue, indicating a potential review of the complaints to ensure adherence to electoral guidelines.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between political factions in Tamil Nadu as the state prepares for crucial assembly elections, with both sides vying to secure electoral advantages through legal and procedural means.
