Amid reports that several parties were trying to bribe voters at RK Nagar constituency, the Madras High Court on Monday directed the Election Commission (EC) to deal with an iron hand those violating the model code of conduct for the December 21 by-poll.

The direction came after DMK candidate Maruthu Ganesh filed a petition alleging that money to the tune of Rs. 100 crore was being distributed to the voters on the day election observer Vikram Bathra took charge.

The poll body, in its counter petition, submitted that the entire poll process would be webcast live in the EC’s website.

While denying the petitioner’s charge, the EC submitted that the DMK was trying to stall the poll process by making such allegations. It also said more than 250 CCTV cameras have been installed in the constituency and 15 companies of para-military forces deployed on poll duty.