The AIADMK filed a complaint with Tamil Nadu Chief Election Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo accusing DMK of voter bribery. AIADMK Advocate Babu Murugavel claimed that DMK distributed tokens to voters, promising payment post-elections, which constitutes to bribery under Section 171 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to ANI, AIADMK Advocate Babu Murugavel said, "Ever since the announcements of elections, we have registered 12 complaints but proper action has not been taken by the Election Commission. DMK is trying to bribe the voters instead of giving money, they are giving tokens, saying that after the polls, they have to return the token and then money will be paid. This is a kind of bribe and comes under Section 171 of the IPC."
Citing that the same happened in the 2017 by-elections, Babu Murugavel said that when TTV Dinakaran gave tokens to the voters he also failed to pay the amount and fulfill his promise. He said, "The same practice has been undertaken by the DMK in many constituencies across the state."
Murugavel accused Divakar, a state government PRO of engaging in election propaganda for DMK. "Divakar, a state government PRO indulged in election propaganda for DMK in election till yesterday (Wednesday)," he said.
Previously, the AIADMK lodged a complaint with the Election Commission regarding Minister Udhayanidhi's assurance that 40 lakh more women would receive benefits from Kalaignar Maglir Urimai Thittam.
Tamil Nadu is set to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday (April 19).