Satheesan highlighted instances where voters endured extensive waits, some lasting up to four-and-a-half hours, under scorching conditions…reports Asian Lite News
The Congress party in Kerala has levelled serious allegations of mismanagement during the Lok Sabha elections held on April 26, prompting a call for a thorough investigation by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
V D Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, asserted in a letter to the ECI that the electoral process in Kerala suffered from significant mismanagement, leading to substantial delays across many polling booths.
Satheesan highlighted instances where voters endured extensive waits, some lasting up to four-and-a-half hours, under scorching conditions. He emphasised instances of voters being unable to cast their ballots despite arriving before the 6 PM deadline, attributing these issues to what he termed as “grave negligence” on the part of officials.
Satheesan further criticized the alleged lacklustre attitude of officials, attributing it to a drop in voter turnout. He cited instances where faulty Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were not promptly addressed, indicating systemic flaws in the election arrangements.
Despite these claims, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul asserted the overall satisfaction with the electoral process, highlighting the timely completion of voting in the majority of polling booths. However, the contrasting narratives underscore the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged mismanagement, reflecting the contentious nature of the electoral process in Kerala.