Chennai: The Madras High Court today directed notices to the Election Commission (EC) and others on a petition filed against the nomination of AIADMK candidate V Senthil Balaji and DMK contestant KC Palanisamy in Aravakurichi constituency, which is going to the polls along with Thanjavur and Thirupparankundram on November 19.

When the plea filed by Rajendran of Aravakurichi came up for hearing today, the bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and R Mahadevan ordered notices to the EC, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the AIADMK, the DMK and the two candidates.

In his plea, Rajendran said that polling was cancelled in Aravakurichi earlier, due to malpractices, including bribing of voters. Pointing out that the AIADMK and the DMK have fielded the same candidates now, he said that their nominations should not be accepted. Hearing the petition, the High Court bench ordered notices to the above parties and directed them to reply within two weeks.

The case has been posted to November 9 for further hearing. Rajendran said that he made a representation on October 18 to the EC and other electoral officials to reject the nomination of the two candidates. Along with Aravakurichi, the EC had cancelled polls in Thanjavur constituency in May due to corrupt practices. These two constituencies, along with Thirupparankundram which is facing by-election due to the death of MLA Seenivel, will go for polling on November 19.

Meanwhile, CEO Rajesh Lakhoni said today that cameras will be installed in all three constituencies during polling to monitor against malpractices. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said the EC would reply to the notice ordered earlier in the day by the High Court.