The Election Commission of India has canceled the Tiruvarur Assembly Constituency by-election. The election poll was scheduled to be held on the 28th of this month. However, various political parties including the ruling AIADMK and the principal opposition DMK demanded to defer it.
They said the by-election at this time would affect the ongoing cyclone relief works, as Tiruvarur is one of the worst affected districts in the November-2018 Cyclone Gaja. The Commission, in its order issued last night, said all actions and steps taken by the Returning Officer of the constituency and other polling staff are declared null and void. A fresh date is expected to be announced later.
The seat had been vacated by the demise of the DMK’s patriarchal leader M. Karunanidhi. It may be noted that in addition to Tiruvarur, nineteen other Assembly seats in the state are also facing a bypoll.