Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has intervened in petitions filed by election officials who were unable to vote after not receiving their postal ballots in time for the Assembly elections. The court has asked whether employees on election duty will be given an opportunity to cast their votes by postal ballot before the counting process begins. The Election Commission has been directed to respond by Tuesday, after which the court will reconsider the matter.

The Election Commission informed the court that making further arrangements for officials who missed postal voting would not be feasible. It argued that redistributing postal ballots or reopening voter facilitation centres could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the electoral process. However, concerns have been raised from multiple quarters over the situation, particularly as it affects officials tasked with conducting the election.

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Initially, it was stated that officials on election duty could cast their votes during training sessions, but many did not receive their ballots at that stage. Later, arrangements were made for voting at facilitation centres within their respective constituencies, yet numerous officials reported that their postal ballots did not arrive on time. Subsequently, an additional opportunity was provided at polling material distribution centres on the day before the election, though only a limited number of officials were able to vote.

Widespread protests were reported at several centres due to delays in the delivery of postal ballots. In many cases, ballots arrived only after officials had collected polling materials and proceeded to their assigned stations, leaving them unable to return and vote. Following these developments, a group of affected officials approached the High Court seeking relief.