Income Tax department on Tuesday carried out searches at senior DMK leader Kanimozhi's residence in Tuticorin. Kanimozhi is DMK's candidate from Tuticorin consistency which votes on April 18. This came on a day when poll panel cancelled elections to Vellore Lok Sabha seat following recovery of huge cash from alleged associates of DMK candidate. Tax raids on opposition leaders have become a key issue in the elections. The DMK called it a "murder of democracy and a sick joke".