Teeka Ram Meena, the Chief Election Officer, could not cast his vote today as his name was not included in the voter’s list. He said, “I thought I would be able to vote as my name was supposed to be on the voter’s list. But I couldn’t.” Navjot Khosa, the Returning Officer, who is also the district collector, was informed about Meena’s name not being included in the voter’s list.
Meena’s vote is in the Poojappura ward. He had last voted during the Lok Sabha election.
Meanwhile, two prominent Kerala leaders, former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and AK Antony, will also stay away from voting today in the first round of polling. The former Chief Minister is not keeping well and is confined to his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier, he had applied for postal voting, but it was denied. The authorities informed that under the rules of postal voting, he could not be permitted. Besides, doctors have advised him not to travel to Alappuzha to cast a vote.
VA Arun Kumar, Achuthanandan’s son, said, “My father is feeling uneasy as he can’t vote this time. The officials have expressed regret over the technical difficulties in allowing the postal vote.”
AK Antony, former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader, who was affected with Covid-19, will not be casting his vote. He is currently at his home in New Delhi, recuperating. Although he tested negative a few days ago, the doctors have advised him to rest for at least a month. Antony expressed his regret for missing out on this election.
Today the first phase of local body elections in Kerala began in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Idukki district at 7:00 am.
