Palakkad cash-for-votes row: Elderly voter denies receiving money, but EC inquiry to continue

Thiruvananthapuram: The Election Commission’s flying squad investigated a complaint on Wednesday that BJP Palakkad candidate Sobha Surendran allegedly distributed money to voters ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rathan U Kelkar said.

The Congress claimed that a female member of Surendran's campaign team handed cash to an elderly woman in Kannadi panchayat, Palakkad district. 

Flying squad visits, statements recorded

Following media reports, the district election department promptly dispatched the flying squad to the location. The team recorded the statement of the 65-year-old woman, identified as Devu, who denied receiving any money, according to Kelkar’s office.

“The flying squad has submitted its report to the district collector, who noted that a more detailed investigation is required, considering the seriousness of the incident, even though the elderly woman denied receiving any money,” the statement said.

Detailed probe to examine legal compliance

Kelkar added that the extended investigation will determine whether there was any breach of the Model Code of Conduct or the Representation of the People Act. Further action will be decided after reviewing the report, a copy of which has been shared with election observers and the police, the CEO said.

Surendran rejected the allegations, asserting she did not distribute cash to voters. She accused the Congress and a TV channel journalist of “fabricating” the video broadcast on television.