The Kerala State Election Commission has decided to collect evidence directly, following a complaint that Uduma MLA K Kunhiraman threatened the presiding officer during the last local body election polls. According to reports, the polling officers and complainant will be asked to present for investigation after the Assembly elections.
Earlier, the Kasargod collector had reported that the complaint by the presiding officer was baseless. Following this, the UDF district committee had asked the Election Commission to remove the district collector. Based on UDF’s complaint, the Chief Electoral Officer had sought a report on the matter from the Revenue Secretary. Following the controversy, the Chief Electoral Officer has directed to look into the complaints.
Earlier, through a Facebook post, presiding officer KM Sreekumar, a teacher with the Agricultural University, had alleged that he was threatened by Uduma LDF MLA K Kunhiraman. Later, the presiding officer had lodged a complaint with the state Election Commission.
According to the case, Sreekumar was posted at the GLPS School Kizhakkumbhagam ward in Alakode village in Uduma. He alleged that the Uduma MLA and block Panchayat candidate KM Manikandan had threatened the presiding officer for checking the voter’s identity card. On Facebook, he wrote that Kunhiraman threatened to chop his leg off if he didn’t follow the MLA’s instructions. He further alleged that the police officials were eyewitnesses to the incident. However, the MLA said that the presiding officer had created a problem at the booth.
