CHENNAI: The electoral process will start in the State with the filing of nomination papers for the 234 Assembly constituencies from Thursday.

Nominations will be accepted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. till April 20, except on April 14 (Tamil New Year Day) and April 16 (Sunday), which are holidays. The scrutiny of applications will be on April 21. The last date for withdrawal is April 24. The polling will be on May 8 and counting, May 11.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Naresh Gupta told reporters here on Wednesday that the Election Commission had briefed poll personnel about the conduct of polls. It was taking special steps to issue identity cards to all personnel.

Regarding the Model Code of Conduct, Mr.Gupta said from time to time the EC was issuing instructions to the polling personnel for conducting free and fair elections. Any criticism of the Commission on the implementation of the code was "unjustified." Its desire to ensure fair elections was not taken in good spirit by some people.

He said there had been a disturbing trend of senior officers sending files to the Commission for early clearance, without realising the fact that it had to enforce the code.

On the complaint against State Minister D.Jayakumar who allegedly distributed sewing machines to some beneficiaries, violating the code, Mr.Gupta said the Commission had asked the Chennai Corporation Commissioner to order a fresh enquiry by a Joint Commissioner and submit a report.

Asked whether sensitive booths had been identified, the CEO said the observers would identify them in their constituencies. The District Collectors and Superintendents of Police had identified such booths in their areas. But the list had to be approved by the observers.

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