Voter list row: After Thrissur, manipulation claims surface in Kozhikode; this time it’s IUML against CPM

Kozhikode, Kerala: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), an ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the state, has raised allegations concerning voter list irregularities in Kozhikode Corporation.

In Marad division, building number 49/49 lists 327 voters under a single address, according to the party. The building, registered under the name Anita, houses a CPM-affiliated cooperative society, the IUML alleged.

The League claimed that these irregularities are part of broader moves by the CPM to manipulate local body elections across Kerala. It questioned whether the voters listed were local residents or from outside the area, also alleging that some individuals hold two votes.

The IUML said the inclusion of 327 voters at one address shows deliberate intervention by the CPM, demanding dismissal of the officials involved and initiation of a criminal case.

In Kozhikode Corporation’s 59th division, Part Seven, the voter list allegedly shows multiple votes under the name Railway Colony with varying house numbers. The IUML pointed out that no residents have lived at the Railway Colony address for years.

Instead of neighbouring households being grouped together, votes are listed from houses several kilometres apart, making field verification impossible, the party said.

Congress voices concerns over Thrissur voter surge

Days ago, the Congress party raised concerns over what it termed a “suspicious and abnormal surge” in voter registrations in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency. It may be noted that BJP had won in Thrissur, where candidate Suresh Gopi won the party’s first-ever Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, surprising political observers. Congress leaders now allege that voter roll manipulation and mass irregular enrolments may have aided the victory.

Kerala developments triggered after Rahul Gandhi press conference

Following a press conference by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, new developments emerged in Kerala.

He alleged that 1,00,250 “fake votes” were created in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka to ensure a BJP win.

Taking reporters through a detailed presentation of the “fraud” at the Congress headquarters in Delhi, Gandhi claimed there was “collusion” between the Election Commission of India and the BJP, which resulted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi securing his third term.