Chennai: Is affixing thumb impression on nomination forms of three candidates by the chief minister beyond the scope of the constitution and against election rules? The Madras high court is expected to deliberate on the issue shortly with activist K R 'Traffic' Ramaswamy filing a petition challenging the consent for nomination by the AIADMK chief through her left thumb impression, on Thursday.
After she approved the nominations last month, AIADMK candidates V Senthil Balaji had filed nomination in Aravakurichi, M Rangasamy in Thanjavur and A K Bose in Thirupparankundram.
According to the petition, yet to be numbered, using thumb impression for the nomination was only allowed if the person providing the consent was illiterate, or bereft of basic education. But, the CM, who was admitted to the hospital had given the thumb impression as she was having inflammation in her right hand.
Thumb impression, for health issues, could only be allowed in the presence of the chief election commissioner or other deputed officers. The issue 'raised a lot of questions' as the health condition of the CM had not been revealed. It was not clear whether she was in a state to think coherently and decide on nominating candidates. It was possible that she might not be aware of the election-related developments, the petition said.
The doctors, who attested her thumb impression were not gazetted officers. So, the court could appoint a magistrate to remain present when the thumb impression was affixed. The genuineness of her approval could be verified by video recording in the presence of senior judicial/law enforcement officials, it said. Ramaswamy said rules mandated candidates to fill in forms A and B.
After she approved the nominations last month, AIADMK candidates V Senthil Balaji had filed nomination in Aravakurichi, M Rangasamy in Thanjavur and A K Bose in Thirupparankundram.
According to the petition, yet to be numbered, using thumb impression for the nomination was only allowed if the person providing the consent was illiterate, or bereft of basic education. But, the CM, who was admitted to the hospital had given the thumb impression as she was having inflammation in her right hand.
Thumb impression, for health issues, could only be allowed in the presence of the chief election commissioner or other deputed officers. The issue 'raised a lot of questions' as the health condition of the CM had not been revealed. It was not clear whether she was in a state to think coherently and decide on nominating candidates. It was possible that she might not be aware of the election-related developments, the petition said.
The doctors, who attested her thumb impression were not gazetted officers. So, the court could appoint a magistrate to remain present when the thumb impression was affixed. The genuineness of her approval could be verified by video recording in the presence of senior judicial/law enforcement officials, it said. Ramaswamy said rules mandated candidates to fill in forms A and B.