Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, May 4: The election held this time on April 23 for the local Lok Sabha constituency is marred by large scale fake voting. The sheer size of this phenomenon this time has shaken the political circles, and more incidents of fake voting supported by proof are coming out into the open.

Initially, Congress party had accused CPM of indulging in fake voting, duly proving its allegations with the help of video footage. CPM too had complained to the election officer about fake voting by Congress workers, supported by video tapes.

Even as investigation into these allegations are underway, state election officer, Teeka Ram Meena, has said that it has been proved during investigation that three persons had cast their votes with false identities at Kalaissery polling booth. Those who have been accused of fake voting happen to be Mohammed Faiz, Abdul Samad, and Mohammed K. There is suspicion about another person, Ashiq K M also having cast fake vote as he was loitering around the polling booth many times. The state election officer said that investigation is being undertaken into his role.

The investigation had centered on the role of four persons in the said booth, and guilt of three of them has been proved. Abdul Samad has cast two votes while Mohammed Faiz voted thrice including his own. Meena stated that it is clear that Mohammed K M voted thrice. As Abdul Samad did not present himself for the inquiry, warrant would be issued against him, he revealed.

The reports of the district collector, assistant election commissioner and sectoral officer, have confirmed about fake voting. But during the questioning, the officials posted at the polling booths said that they were not aware about the fake voting, Meena said.

"Suits would be filed against people who have cast fake votes. There are more complaints of fake voting in other booths. We are investigating, and if the officials are found guilty, they would also be acted against. The deputy commissioner has been asked to look into the matter and file report within seven days," he explained.

The police of Pariyaram station, in tune with the instructions of the state chief election officer, have already registered cases against CPM gram panchayat member, M V Celina, CPM worker, Padmani, and former gram panchayat member, K P Sumayya, for fake voting.

United Democratic Front led by the Congress is saying that fake voting has happened in over a hundred booths. Muslim League, a constituency of the UDF, and CPM, a part of Left Democratic Front, have been indulging in mud-slinging about fake voting by the other parties. It would be interesting to wait and watch what decision the election commission will take on fake voting, and whether re-poll would be ordered.