Chennai, January 7: The Election Commission on Sunday decided not to conduct by-election on Tamil Nadu's Thiruvarur assembly seat, scheduled to be held on January 28, 2019. The EC said the Thiruvarur assembly by-election cannot be conducted as the Tamil Nadu government and district administration were busy in relief work undertaken in the region following Cyclone 'Gaja'.

The Election Commission directed Satyabrata Sahoo, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer, that notification calling upon 168-Thiruvarur Assembly Constituency to elect an MLA stands rescinded forthwith. As a consequence of the cancellation of the notification, actions and steps taken by the Returning Officer for the constituency were "declared null and void." Governor Banwarilal Purohit Announces One Month's Salary to Cyclone Gaja Relief Fund.

"The Commission is of the view that the process of conduct of by-election from 168-Thiruvarur Assembly Constituency cannot be continued as Tamil Nadu government, district administration Thiruvarur is pre-occupied with relief and rehabilitation work after cyclone 'Gaja'," the Election Commission stated, as reported by news agency ANI.

Earlier this month, a plea was filed in the Madras High Court to forbear the Election Commission from conducting the by-poll to Thiruvarur constituency as it said the election would affect relief work undertaken in the region following Cyclone 'Gaja'. The cyclone lashed the southern state in November last. Communist Party of India's national secretary and MP, D Raja, also gave a petition to the EC, seeking cancellation of the notification.

The Thiruvarur seat fell vacant following the death of former chief minister and DMK MLA M Karunanidhi in August.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 07, 2019 08:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).