By Chitra Weerarathne
Arumugam Thondaman printed and distributed in the Nuwara Eliya district, handbills resembling ballot papers. These hand-bills had the symbol of the Independent Group 4, printed in line with the name of the Muslim Kachchi Party, Kadiravel Perumal Murugaiah, who contested the Parliamentary poll of October 10, 2000, at the electoral district of Nuwara Eliya as a candidate of the Independent Group [4], had said in an election petition filed in the Court of Appeal, last Wednesday.

The petition also alleged that the symbol of the Sihala Urumaya, the bow and arrow, had been placed in line with the name of the Independent Group [4].

The petition added that, Arumugam Thondaman, had entertained police officers, at the Ajantha Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, prior to the poll.

The petitioner had complained to the police about the printing and the distribution of handbills by Thondaman and his supporters, at the electoral district of Nuwara Eliya. The police did not shown any noteworthy response.

The petition requested the court to declare null and void, the election of Thondaman and two other PA members of Parliament, and to replace them with the petitioner and two other Independent Group [4] candidates. In the alternative, the petitioner had requested that the declared results, at this electoral district be voided.

The respondents in this petition are A. Thondaman, the other two PA members of Parliament for Nuwara Eliya district. The Returning Officer for Nuwara Eliya district and the Superintendant of Police of Nuwara Eliya.