Vote at home by wrong voter: Six election officials suspended; action in Kannur and Kozhikode

KANNUR/KOZHIKODE: Six election officials in two Lok Sabha constituencies have been suspended in connection with the wrong person voting during the vote-at-home procedure. District Returning Officer Arun K Vijayan has suspended Booth No. 70 Polling Officer Josna Joseph and Booth Level Officer K Geetha of Kannur Lok Sabha constituency. Action has been taken against four officers in the incident at Kunnamangalam Peruvayal in Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency. Kozhikode District Returning Officer Snehil Kumar Singh has suspended Special Polling Officer KT Manjusha, Polling Officer CV Fehmida, Macro Observer PK Anees and Booth Lever Officer PS Harish Kumar.

The complaint in Kannur is that the vote of 86-year-old K Kamalakshi of Kizthalli BKP apartment was cast by V Kamalakshi of Krishnakripa Bund Bridge Thazhechovva on Tuesday. The complaint also pointed out that as V Kamalakshi is only 83 years old, she has no right to vote at home. Kozhikode Kunnamangalam Peruvayal native 91-year-old Janakiamma's vote was cast by 80-year-old Kodasseri Janakiamma instead. In both places, it was the LDF office bearers who filed complaints with the Election Commission.