Prez poll: AIADMK MPs seek permission to vote in Chennai

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Members of Parliament rushed to New Delhi on Thursday to meet Election Commission officials and seek permission and exemption to cast their votes in Chennai for the forthcoming Presidential poll.

Taking a cue from Trinamool MPs seeking to cast their votes in Kolkata, the AIADMK as well as other regional parties like the Telugu Desam, Janata Dal – Secular, Janata Dal – United and Shiv Sena are contemplating seeking such a special permission.

Such an exemption may result in an Independent candidate or even the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate P A Sangma challenging the violation of the code of conduct, set by the EC.

The Election Commission is likely to reject the plea for such "en-masse" voting requests

As per the Election Commission's model code, these MPs should have given their requests in writing on July 9. But AIDMK MPs woke up at the last moment after a dictum from party chief J Jayalalithaa.