Aranmula bogus voting incident: Three poll officials suspended

Pathanamthitta: Three officials, including two polling officers, were suspended in connection with the alleged bogus voting incident at Aranmula here. 

Polling Officers Deepa and Kala Thomas, and Booth Level Officer (BLO) Ambili were suspended by the District Election Officer following a complaint filed by the LDF, alleging a fraudulent vote cast under the name of a deceased person. 

As per the complaint, Annamma from Karithotta, purportedly impersonated her deceased mother-in-law, also named Annamma, to cast the bogus vote. The complaint suggests collusion between the ward member and the BLO.
Annamma, a 94-year-old resident of Karithotta, had passed away four years ago. However, an application for voting at home was submitted in her name.

On April 18, the BLO and the ward member visited their residence, when Annamma, the daughter-in-law aged 72, utilised the application, intended for the 94-year-old, to cast her vote.