The Kerala High Court has directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala to decide within three days on representations seeking action against election officers responsible for opening a materials room adjacent to the strong room at JDT Convention Centre, Vellimadukunnu, Kozhikode, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being kept for counting.
Interim Order by Justice K V Jayakumar
Justice K V Jayakumar issued the interim order on a petition filed by K Praveen Kumar, president of the Kozhikode District Congress Committee and a United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the assembly election from the Koyilandy constituency. Kumar alleged in his petition that on April 20, the returning officer of the Perambra constituency opened the materials room adjacent to the strong room and entered it with various electronic devices, including laptops, with ulterior motives.
Petitioner's Allegations and Representations
Immediately after noticing the alleged incident, the petitioner, along with others, submitted a representation seeking the removal of the returning officer and her assistants from election duties to ensure public confidence in the election process. He also sought the deployment of sufficient, impartial, and trustworthy police personnel to guard the strong room to prevent any further attempt to tamper with the votes recorded in the EVMs. The next day, the returning officer of the Koyilandy constituency also allegedly attempted to open the materials room. The petitioner then filed another representation before the CEO and district election officer seeking legal action against the returning officers. However, no action was taken, prompting the petitioner to move the High Court.
Court's Direction
During the hearing on Tuesday, the petitioner sought a direction for the disposal of the representations submitted to the CEO within a time frame fixed by the High Court. Accordingly, the High Court directed the CEO to decide the matter, after hearing the petitioner, within three days.
