No list of 'suspect' voters in local body polls: State Election Commission

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Election Commission  has rejected reports that it would be preparing a list of 'suspect' voters who cast multiple votes in the local body elections in Kerala. 

This is despite the preparation of such lists in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and complaints by various political parties regarding double votes.

As per the Commission, there are no provisions in the rules or procedures of the local body elections to find suspicious voters. 

The Commission also points out that it had given two opportunities to raise  complaints against the voters' list for the local body polls, and all the grievances were addressed. 

Similarly, draft voters' lists were published by the state commission in 2023 and 2024 along the lines of the Election Commission of India to delete multiple voters. 

However, political parties feel that the position taken by the Commission could lead to disputes during polling.

Party leaders said that they could challenge doubling voting, but it would not be easy. 

"It is the fundamental right of a person to vote. So, objections against suspected double votes could lead to disputes and disruption during polling. Multiple voting could be prevented only when a voter who was marked with ink at a booth during voting approaches another booth," said a party leader.

"An identity card such  as Aadhaar or voter's ID has to be produced to vote. But, if a voter produces different IDs at different polling booths, it is not possible to identify a multiple voter. This is because of the loophole in the rules caused by the Election Commission's stipulation that any ID could be presented to get enrolled in the voter's list," said the leader.

Questions have been raised over the voters' list for the local body election in the state after over 400 multiple voters were detected in Vanchiyoor ward of Thiruvananthapuram city corporation.