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EC stands by circular debarring convicts

The Election Commission told the Madras high court on Friday that it stands by its 1997 instructions which bar convicted persons from contesting elections.

Counsel for the commission K Rajagopal told a two-member division bench headed by Chief Justice L K Jain that the commission has issued orders to all returning officers in the coming assembly elections that the instructions issued on August 20, 1997, hold good and should be followed.

The bench, including Justice K Sampath, reserved orders for Monday on a public interest petition filed by advocate K M Vijayan seeking a direction to the returning officers of Krishnagiri and Andipatti not to accept the nomination papers filed by All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Jayalalitha.

Scrutiny of nomination papers has been fixed for April 24.

The court also dismissed a petition seeking a direction to the Election Commission and the authorities concerned to disqualify the AIADMK general secretary from contesting the poll.

PTI

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