Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Monday expressed shock at the Election Commission’s inability to stop the distribution of cash by AIADMK (Amma) in the RK Nagar bypoll.

The Election Commission of India has all the powers guaranteed by the Constitution to conduct the elections, but it had cancelled the bypoll, he said. The EC formed over 70 flying squads, besides many election observers, special observers and central government employees to supervise the bypoll, he pointed out and added that 22 police officials, besides revenue and corporation officials were transferred.

The documents released by the IT officials who raided the house of health minister C. Vijayabaskar showed that the election officials did not work under the EC. He alleged that the AIADMK used money power in the 2016 Assembly elections and all the byelections. Citing the Election Commission's remarks that bypoll would be held when there is conducive atmosphere for fair and free polls, he said as long as the AIADMK is in power honest elections could not be held.

The Election Commission should take action on all the police and government officials who were responsible for money distribution, he demanded.

Stalin demanded the EC should ask the CBI to register cases on Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami and other ministers who were in the list of distributing money to the voters. Constructive steps should be taken to prevent cash for votes in bypoll and general elections in Tamil Nadu, Stalin added.