Nedumkandam: First-time voters in the Nedumkandam region were shocked to find someone else’s photo on the voter ID cards that arrived by post at their addresses. Voters in the Ezhukumvayal and Chembalam areas, who had recently added their names to the voters’ list for the first time, received the wrong voter ID cards. Although the addresses were correct, many of them ended up with cards belonging to other people, some even from within the same postal area.

Ezhukumvayal native Abin Sebastian received the voter ID card of Adithyan Gireesh, while Krishna R Nair, a native of Chembalam, got the card of Anjali Babu, also from Chembalam. Most recipients are relying on WhatsApp groups and social media to trace the rightful owners of the cards. However, they have so far been unable to locate those who might have received their own cards. While willing to exchange the cards once the owners are found, they remain concerned about possible legal complications.

The voter ID cards are sent from the office of the Deputy Collector (Revenue Recovery) and Electoral Registration Officer, which functions at the Idukki Collectorate. However, officials there say they only dispatch the envelopes received directly from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Thiruvananthapuram.