Postal ballot row: Accused cops seek right to vote

Thiruvananthapuram: Three policemen facing investigation for tampering of postal ballots have sought the right to exercise their franchise. Their individual ballots were taken back after allegations broke out. The three have now written to the Chief Election Officer (CEO) seeking the return of their ballots.

They were called back from election duty in Punjab the other day. All three sent a request to CEO soon. It was found that their ballots were delivered to the address of another suspect Manikandan, following which CEO took back their ballots.

However, investigators believe their plea is a ploy to get absolved of charges against the three. It is considered impossible to get all three ballots to Manikandan’s address without their consent or knowledge.

Kerala had witnessed a furore from the oppisition and general public in the past weeks due to the alleged compromising of police postal votes by leaders of police associations during the Lok Sabha elections.

The top brass in Kerala Police has received a copy of the order that provides for special centres for the police personnel to cast postal ballot in some other States including Delhi. Postal votes can be cast based on Assembly Constituencies. Up to four days were allotted for casting postal ballots. Nodal officers are appointed in these States for implementing and coordinating these facilities.

Some of the police personnel alleged that the leaders of the police association extracted the list of those who applied for the postal ballot to exert pressure on them at the regional level. Complaints have also arisen that postal ballots were nabbed and votes were cast.