T.N. Assembly polls | Only 14 prisoners in the State will exercise in their franchise
The Hindu
Jail officials said most convict prisoners and undertrials are not eligible to cast their votes as per settled law
Only 14 prisoners out of the the total 15,416 convicts and undertrials lodged in nine central prisons and sub-jails will be able to exercise their franchise two days ahead of Assembly polls in the State which will be held on April 6. Jail officials said most convict prisoners and undertrials are not eligible to cast their votes as per settled law. However, the accused who are detained under preventive detention laws will be given the right to vote after ascertaining their willingness. "Most of them — convicts and under trials — do not have the right to vote as per the settled law. However, the detenues under preventive detention laws such as Goondas and National Securities Act are allowed to cast their votes through postal ballots. 1571 such detenues who fall under the category, may be eligible to cast their votes. Among them, only 14 have expressed willingness and submitted petitions seeking to do so. We have communicated this to the State government. After verifying their addresses and other eligibility details, the concerned returning officers will send them postal ballots. On April 4, the eligible prisoner will exercise their franchise at an enclosure in the respective prison and send ballot papers back to poll authorities as per procedure," said a senior officer of the Prison Department.More Related News