TVK leader and Villivakkam candidate Aadhav Arjuna on Saturday submitted a petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, seeking enhanced security for the upcoming vote counting scheduled for May 4.
In his representation, Arjuna cited concerns over law and order during counting, referring to the recent arson attack on a TVK election campaign office in the Srirangam constituency in Tiruchirappalli. He also claimed there were reports of anti-social elements allegedly planning violence to disrupt a peaceful counting process.
Arjuna urged the Election Commission to deploy armed police security at all 62 vote counting centres across the state and in surrounding areas. He also sought a one-kilometre security perimeter around counting venues to prevent public gatherings.
Speaking to reporters later, he alleged that DMK members were intimidating TVK due to fear of defeat. He demanded that only officially appointed counting agents be allowed inside the centres and called for strict action to identify and punish those responsible for the Srirangam arson incident.
He stressed that the counting process must be conducted in a fair and orderly manner.
