Four polling officials suspended over outside interference in voting at 92-year-old woman’s house in Kerala’s Kannur

Polling officials suspended for failing to prevent outside interference in voting process during Lok Sabha polls in Kannur in Kerala.

Four polling officials were suspended from service for allegedly failing to prevent outside interference in the voting process at the house of a 92-year-old woman during the Lok Sabha polls in Kannur district of Kerala, officials said on April 19 (Friday).

District Collector Arun K. Vijayan, also the District Election Officer, suspended the special polling officer, polling assistant micro observer, special police officer, and videographer in connection with the incident reported from Kalliasseri grama panchayat.

The Collector also recommended an investigation 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.

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 reacted to the allegations.

"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," stated an official release.

It added that the Kalliasseri sub-polling officer had officially reported to the Kannapuram police station, through the City Police Commissioner, to take criminal action against the individual who acted illegally and the polling officials.