New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has told the Supreme Court that the District Returning Officer will decide on allotment of the double leaf symbol.
O. Panneerselvam and his supporter Vairamuthu have filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court’s decision that the AIADMK General Committee held on July 11, 2022. The judges hearing the case have adjourned the verdict without specifying a date.
In this case, pointing to the Erode East by-election to be held on the 27th, the Election Commission should approve the signature of interim general secretary Palaniswami on the nomination paper to allow the double leaf symbol and AIADMK candidate. Further, an interim petition was filed in the Supreme Court by the EPS, insisting that it should be uploaded on the Commission’s website.
A bench consisting of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Rishikesh Roy heard this petition. He was directed to file a reply by 3rd and the hearing was adjourned on Feb. Postponed to 3rd (today).
Meanwhile, in the reply filed by the Election Commission of India in this case, it has stated:
The Election Commission will only monitor and ensure that the internal party elections are conducted in a proper manner and at a proper time interval. Does not interfere in internal party affairs. Also, internal party elections will not be monitored. The Election Commission did not consider the amendments made to the AIADMK rules on July 11. Because various cases are pending regarding that matter. Further, neither party has raised the issue of double leaf symbol.
The concerned Returning Officer shall have the power to consider the petition of the candidate standing on behalf of the recognized party and decide whether to accept the same. Therefore, the concerned District Returning Officer will take the decision regarding acceptance of the AIADMK candidate’s nomination.
According to the Election Commission records, the rule is that whoever is in charge of the party, their signatures must be authenticated by law. Accordingly, the signatures of those whose signatures are in the records as in-charge of AIADMK will be accepted.
If the Supreme Court expects a detailed response on the issue, the Election Commission will file it. This is stated in it.
Petition of OPS: Similarly, in the reply filed by the OPS, it has been stated that: The Supreme Court, which heard the case against the AIADMK General Committee, has postponed the verdict. In this context, the interim petition filed by EPS is not maintainable. Therefore, it should not be accepted for investigation and should be pushed.
The EPS cannot claim any new power in the party until the coordinator and co-coordinator posts are decided. In this case, if an order is passed accepting the interim petition, it will have an impact on the case against the General Assembly.
At the crossroads…: Palaniswami, who thinks that the AIADMK can be taken over by his supporters, in September last year. On the 30th, the order issued by the Supreme Court saying that ‘the election for the post of General Secretary of AIADMK should not be held for now’ has caused irritation.
That is why he is trying to spread slander and somehow get orders from the Supreme Court. This should be taken into consideration by the court. This is stated in the petition filed by O. Panneerselvam.
