| TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY EXTRAORDINARY | ||
No. 245] CHENNAI, FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2024 Aadi 10, Kurothi, Thiruvalluvar Aandu–2055
Part V—Section 4
Notification by the Election Commission of India
ORDER OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
DISQUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATE CONTESTED FROM 234 – KILLIYOOR ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY IN THE GENERAL ELECTION TO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU, 2021 FOR FAILURE TO LODGE THE ACCOUNTS OF ELECTION EXPENSES UNDER SECTION 10-A OF THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT, 1951 BY THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA.
No. SRO G-31/2024.
The following order of the Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 001, dated 19th July, 2024 [28 Asadha, 1946 (Saka)] is re-published:-
No.76/TN-LA/KKM/2021/CEMS-II
WHEREAS, the General Election to Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, 2021 for 234 – Killiyoor Assembly Constituency was held in pursuance of the Election Commission of India Notification No.464/TN-LA/2021, dated 12th March, 2021; and
WHEREAS, as per Section 78 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every contesting candidate at an election shall, within 30 days from the date of election of the returned candidate, lodge with the District Election Officer an account of his election expenses which shall be a true copy of the account kept by him or his election agent under Section 77 of the said act; and
WHEREAS, the result of the election for 234 – Killiyoor Assembly Constituency of Tamil Nadu, 2021 was declared by the Returning Officer on 02nd May, 2021 and hence the last date for lodging the account of Election Expenses was 01st June, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Commission having regard to the then prevailing pandemic situation of Covid-19, decided to condone any incidence of late submission of account by candidate till 31st July, 2021; and
WHEREAS, as per the report of DEO, Kanniyakumari under sub-rule (1) of Rule 89 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 vide his letter no.Z2/6683/2021; dated. 07.10.2021 stating that John Benadict.G, a contesting candidate from 234 – Killiyoor Assembly Constituency in General Election to Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, 2021 has failed to lodge the account of his election expenses, as required under law; and
WHEREAS, on basis of the said report of the District Election Officer, Kanniyakumari, a Show-Cause notice No. 76/TN-LA/2021/CEMS-II, dated 17th November, 2021 was issued under sub-rule (5) of Rule 89 of the Conduct 2 TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY WHEREAS, through the above said Show Cause Notice and under sub-rule (6) of Rule 89 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, John Benadict.G was directed to submit representation in writing to the Commission explaining the reasons for not lodging the account and also to lodge the account of his election expenses with the District Election Officer, Kanniyakumari District within 20 days from the date of receipt of the notice; and
WHEREAS, the District Election Officer, Kanniyakumari District in his report no. Z2/6683/2021; dated 03.02.2022 has reported that the said Show Cause Notice was served to John Benadict.G on 22.12.2021; and
WHEREAS, the District Election Officer, Kanniyakumari in his Supplementary Report vide letter no. Z2/6683/2021; dated 21.07.2023 received through the CEO, Tamil Nadu vide his letter No. 3660/Ele-IV/2022-12; dated. 24.07.2023 on account of the candidate has reported that John Benadict.G has not submitted any representation or statement of account of election expenses. Further, after receipt of the said notice, John Benadict.G has neither furnished any reason nor explanation to the Election Commission of India for failure to lodge the account of his election expenses as prescribed under law; and
WHEREAS, Section 10A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides that:-
"If the Election Commission is satisfied that a person-
(a) has failed to lodge an account of election expenses within the time and in the manner required
by or under this Act, and
(b) has no good reason or justification for the failure,
the Election Commission shall, by order published in the Official Gazette, declare him to be disqualified
and any such person shall be disqualified for a period of three years from the date of the order".
WHEREAS, on basis of the facts and available records, the Commission is satisfied that John Benadict.G has failed to lodge the account of his election expenses and has no good reason or justification for the failure to do so; and NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of Section 10A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission of India hereby declares John Benadict.G, resident of – 16-68A, Pinavilai, Methukummal, Methukummal Post, Kanniyakumari District and a contesting candidate from 234 – Killiyoor Assembly Constituency of General Election to Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, 2021, to be disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council of a State or Union Territory for a period of three years from the date of this order.
To
John Benadict.G,
16-68A, Pinavilai, Methukummal, Methukummal Post, Kanniyakumari District.
(By Order)
Sujeet Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Election Commission of India.
Secretariat, Chennai-600 009, 26th July 2024.
SATYABRATA SAHOO, Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary to Government, Public (Elections) Department.