Bogus voting in Pathanamthitta co-op bank election: CCTV footage of SFI leader emerges

Pathanamthitta: After allegations cropped up about the CPM indulging in widespread bogus voting amid the recent election held in Pathanamthitta Co-operative Bank, visuals of SFI leaders substantiating the fraud have surfaced on social media. However, the SFI has denied the allegations levelled by the UDF in this regard. 

In the election, only those belonging to any of the 22 wards in Pathanamthitta Municipality are entitled to cast their votes. However, the CCTV footage shows Thiruvalla native KS Amal, SFI district secretary, casting votes. It is alleged that the leader had indulged in bogus voting five times. 

Furthermore, it is also alleged that several other SFI-DYFI leaders and pro-CPM activists had cast their bogus votes in the co-operative bank election. Nevertheless, KS Amal claimed that he had arrived only to extend support to the party workers.

Despite the allegations, UDF managed to retain its hold over the co-operative bank and won 10 out of 11 seats in the election, which was held to select members to the bank's administrative committee.