Launch of Oh podu campaign

Oh podu campaign was launched on April 5 at 5 pm at Chennai Vadapalani 100 feet road junction. Campaigners wearing T shirts printed with the message “Oh podu. Cast your vote. If you don't like any candidate, vote for 49 O. Don’t fail to vote." in Tamil, distributed pamphlets explaining 49 O to the public. Passengers in buses leaving from Koyambedu were given the hand bills. Many of them asked for more pamphlets to be distributed in their towns and villages.

High court admits case on 49 O

Chennai High court Advocate Sathyachandran, also a subscriber of Dheemtharikida magazine has filed a case before the Madras High court demanding inclusion of 49 O as a button in the electronic voting machine. The High court on April 7 admitted the case for hearing and ordered issue of notice to the Election Commission returnable by April 10.

Is it possible to include 49 O in EVMs for TN elections?

Yes. if the High court orders so and the election commission acts swiftly. The list of candidates will be ready only after scrutiny and withdrawal. Only then their names and symbols will be included in the voting machines for every constituency. 49 O has to be simply included along with that list at that time as the last entry. No separate computer programming is required for this purpose.

Will Oh podu campaign come to our town?

Many members of the public are asking if Oh Podu movement will arrange for conducting this campaign in their towns. Oh Podu movement does not have branches and office bearers in every place like a political party. On the other hand, this campaign need not be conducted by outsiders or need not be imported. Public can do the campaign themselves wherever they are, with whatever resources they have. It only costs Rs. 200 to print 1000 handbills. E mails and SMS can be used to propagate the issue. During every conversation at home, shops, workplace, journey in train or bus, marriage halls can include discussion about 49 O with people whom we meet there. Most importantly, all this should culminate in visiting the polling booth on May 8 and casting the vote. None of the above requires huge expenditure, plenty of time or hard labor. Therefore Oh podunga!