Election officials in Coimbatore removed 10 temporary tents allegedly put up by DMK workers in the Coimbatore South Assembly constituency, following a complaint from the AIADMK.
According to the complaint submitted by AIADMK candidate Amman Arjunan to District Election Officer Pavan Kumar, tents were being erected in a manner that could confine or hold voters. The petition reportedly included photographs pointing to tents at around 40 locations.
AIADMK lawyers also met State Election Officer Archana Patnaik during her visit to Coimbatore and raised the issue. After this, instructions were issued to inquire into the matter and take action.
Once the information reached Returning Officer Kumaresan, officials conducted a field review of the locations and directed that the structures be removed. As a first step, tents at 10 sites were dismantled.
Officials noted that the remaining locations were recorded as temporary election offices of independent candidates. In one case at Kempatti Colony, Vaisiyal Street, an independent candidate named Hakeem had sought permission to set up a temporary election office, but it was denied as the site was within 200 metres of a polling booth. Despite the denial, a tent was erected and election work continued; after a complaint, a flying squad led by officer Thyagarajan inspected the spot, found DMK flags and campaign materials, and ordered the tent to be removed.
