Kerala: Polling officials suspended over interference in voting at elderly woman's home in Kannur

KANNUR/KOCHI: Four polling officials in the northern Kerala district of Kannur have been suspended from service for allegedly failing to prevent outside interference during the voting process at a 92-year-old woman's residence.
The incident occurred on April 19 during the Lok Sabha polls in the Kalliasseri Grama Panchayat, which falls under the Kasaragod Lok Sabha seat. District Collector Arun K Vijayan, who also serves as the District Election Officer,
suspended the special polling officer, polling assistant micro observer, special police officer, and videographer in connection with the incident.
An investigation is recommended against a person named Ganesan for allegedly interfering in the voting of 92- year-old Devi at a polling booth set up at her residence on April 18 to facilitate her democratic right. The Kalliasseri Assembly segment in Kannur district falls under the Kasaragod Lok Sabha seat. The Congress alleged that Ganesan was a worker of the CPI(M), while the BJP alleged that it was an attempt to sabotage the elections.
The Left party has not yet responded to these allegations. An official release stated, "When voting was conducted at Devi's house, it was observed that there was external interference leading to a loss of the secret nature of the vote."
The Kalliasseri sub-polling officer officially reported the incident to the Kannapuram Police Station, requesting criminal action against the individual who acted illegally and the polling officials involved. CCTV footage aired by news channels showed the man allegedly interfering in the voting process.
In his report to the Chief Electoral Officer, the district collector stated that Ganesan had violated Section 128(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which pertains to the maintenance of secrecy of voting. The report also recommended departmental action and police investigation against the officials involved, as the incident violated Section 171(c) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with undue influence at elections.
The Lok Sabha elections for the 20 seats in Kerala are scheduled to be held on April 26.