The United Democratic Front (UDF) Kozhikode district committee has decided to approach the Kerala High Court to seek legal action against officials involved in the opening of a materials room at the JDT convention centre in Vellimadukunnu, where the EVM strong room is also located. The decision comes after the district collector, who also serves as the district election officer, failed to act against the Perambra returning officer.
Legal Action Planned
District Congress Committee president K Praveen Kumar stated that the petition would seek prosecution of officials responsible for the lapse and demand that the returning officer be relieved of all election-related duties, including ballot counting. He added that a complaint had already been emailed to the state chief electoral officer, and KPCC general secretary P M Niyas would meet the CEO in person to press the demand. The petition is expected to be filed in the High Court on Friday.
Allegations of Serious Lapses
Kumar questioned the decision to set up a materials room within the inner perimeter of the strong room, which, as per election guidelines, should be under the control of central forces. He also pointed out that although the district collector submitted a report against the Perambra returning officer, no action had been taken.
Meanwhile, the district collector maintained that only the unsealed material room of the Perambra constituency was accessed, in the presence of candidates' agents, to update data in the ENCORE software.
