The Election Commission of India announced late on Sunday night that the polling in the constituency of Thanjavur will also be postponed to May 23, and results will be declared for the same on May 25. The announcement was made following reports from EC observers of large-scale money distribution ahead of the polls.
Earlier, the polling was postponed in the constituency of Aravakurichi as well.
Here is the brief statement issued by the EC on Sunday
On the basis of Observer's report regarding seizure of cash and evidence of large scale distribution of money to the voters , the Commission has directed to defer the polling of 174 -Thanjavur Assembly Constituency, which was scheduled to be held on 16th May, 2016, so that the vitiating effect of the money power created by the distribution of money and gift items to the electors of the constituency loses its intensity and a more congenial atmosphere conducive to the conduct of free and fair election is created. The Commission further directed that the poll in the constituency shall now be held on 23rd May, 2016 (Monday), instead of 16th May, 2016, and the counting of votes shall take place at 08.00 a.m. on 25th May, 2016 (Wednesday), instead of 19th May, 2016, as scheduled earlier.
With this, 232 constituencies will go to polls on May 16.