Tuesday, May 17 2016 : Election Commission said ,“it was for the first time that it deferred polls in two TN constituencies following proof of use of money power.”

Umesh Sinha, the Deputy Election Commissioner in-charge of Tamil Nadu said, "This is for the time in the history that polls were deferred due to use of money power. Such a step is taken usually when there are reports of booth capturing or evidence of muscle power,"

EC last night has decided to postpone holding of Assembly elections to the Thanjavur constituency in TN following facts of large scale distribution of money to the voters.

On Saturday night, it had in use an alike decision to delay polls for the Aravakurichi constituency in the state.

According to the Commission order, polling for the two Assembly constituencies, which was scheduled to be held today, will now take place on May 23.

TN, Kerala and Puducherry went for assembly polls in a single stage Tuesday. The counting will take place on May 19.

Election Commission added, “it has no power to indefinitely countermand an election. Therefore, it defers polls so that "the vitiating effect of the money power created by the distribution of money and gift items to the electors of the constituency loses its intensity and a more congenial atmosphere conducive to the conduct of free and fair election is created.”