Actors Nasser, Vishal, Karthi, Karunaas, and politician Poochi Murugan, all members of the ‘Pandavar Ani’, emerged as the winners of all the key posts of the South Indian Artistes’ Association (Nadigar Sangam) polls.
The counting of the ballot boxes began on Sunday morning, at Good Shepherd School in Nungambakkam, Chennai. The main factions included Nasser-led Pandavar Ani and K Bhagyaraj-led Swami Sankaradoss Ani.
On the counting day, candidate Ishari Ganesh contesting for the post of General Secretary opposite Vishal, is said to have paused counting, after he suspected foul play.
According to numbers provided to Silverscreen India, Nasser, who secured 1,701 votes, is the new Chairperson while Vishal, who secured 1,720 votes and defeated Ishari (1032 votes) is the new General Secretary. Meanwhile, Karthi scored a total of 1,827 votes [with 818 postal votes and 1,009 direct votes] and defeated Prashanth, who secured half of Karthi’s votes, to be elected as the council’s Treasurer. Both Poochi Murugan and Karunaas have been elected as Vice-Chairpersons with 1,612 and 1,605 votes, respectively.
The entire 24-member Executive Committee also comprises members of the Pandavar Ani. The top scorers of the lot, include, Khushbu Sundar with 1,407 votes, while Kovai Sarala, Rajesh, Manobala, Ajay Rathinam, Pasupathi, and Junior Balaya bagged 1,300 plus votes.
The SIAA council election counting and results come a few weeks, after the 2019 polls were declared valid.
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In June 2020, Justice K Kalyanasundaram declared the elections ‘null’ and ‘void’ and appointed a special officer for running the affairs of SIAA, while passing an order for a fresh poll, citing violation of rules of the Registrar of Societies of Tamil Nadu.
In February 2022, based on a plea filed by actors Vishal, Karthi and Nasser, who served as SIAA office bearers back then, challenging the single judge order, a division bench of the Madras High Court ruled that the Nadigar Sangam elections held in June 2019, is valid and declared the opening of sealed ballot boxes.
The division bench had observed,”The elections held on July 23, 2019, is valid. The sealed ballot boxes which are kept in the bank locker can be opened under the supervision of the election officer and the votes could be counted within four weeks.”
Further, on October 26, 2021, the division bench had also appointed an officer from the state government to be in charge of the day-to day activities of the Nadigar Sangam.