Congress Accuses CPM of Electoral Manipulation Through Duplicate Votes in Kerala
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot made serious allegations on Thursday, claiming that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is attempting to manipulate upcoming elections in Kerala by adding duplicate votes to electoral rolls. Gehlot asserted that such practices by the CPM in Kerala are directly comparable to what he described as the Bharatiya Janata Party's vote manipulation tactics in other Indian states.
Allegations of Anti-Democratic Practices
According to Gehlot, these actions expose what he called the anti-democratic face of both political parties. He suggested that the creation of fake documents to enable duplicate voting is primarily driven by fear of electoral defeat. The Congress leader emphasized that such maneuvers undermine the integrity of democratic processes.
Formal Complaint Filed with Election Commission
Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of Congress leaders submitted a formal complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner regarding these allegations. The delegation included AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunsi, KPCC Vice-President Palode Ravi, and KPCC Election Monitoring Committee Convenor M K Rahman.
The complaint specifically alleges:
- Large-scale inclusion of duplicate votes in voter lists of constituencies including Payyannur and Kalliasseri
- These activities are purportedly being conducted under CPM leadership
- Similar vote duplication is occurring in multiple constituencies across Kerala
Independent Candidate Also Raises Concerns
Adding weight to these allegations, V Kunhikrishnan, a former CPM leader who is now contesting as an independent candidate from Payyannur, has reportedly lodged a written complaint with the returning officer regarding the same issue. This development suggests broader concerns about electoral integrity beyond party lines.
Potential Impact on Election Results
Congress leaders have described the matter as extremely serious, warning that duplicate votes in affected constituencies could significantly influence election outcomes. They expressed deep concern that this issue raises fundamental questions about:
- The credibility of the electoral process in Kerala
- The accuracy and reliability of voter lists
- The overall integrity of democratic elections in the state
Allegations of Larger Conspiracy
The Congress party has further alleged the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind these activities. Party representatives suggested that individuals responsible for handling voter data may be involved in facilitating these alleged manipulations. They have called for a detailed investigation by election authorities to uncover the full extent of these activities and ensure free and fair elections.
The allegations come at a crucial time as Kerala prepares for upcoming elections, with political parties intensifying their campaigns across the state. The Election Commission has yet to respond formally to these complaints, but the matter is expected to receive significant attention in the coming days as electoral preparations continue.
