Pathanamthitta: A Booth Level Officer (BLO) was arrested by Elavumthitta Police in connection with an alleged case of bogus voting at Mezhuveli here. BLO Ambili was later released on station bail. The police also booked Mezhuveli Ward 1 Member Subhanandan CS. The police action is based on a report filed by the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO).

The incident involves alleged bogus voting in the name of Annamma, a woman who passed away four years ago at the age of 94. An application was filed under Annamma's name for a vote-from-home option. Subsequently, the BLO and Ward Member visited the house and purportedly allowed Annamma's 74-year-old daughter-in-law to cast the vote.

Following this, the LDF local leadership raised concerns with the Collector, alleging fraud involving the BLO, who they claim is affiliated with the UDF, and the Ward Member in rigging the voting process. The BLO, however, asserted that it was an inadvertent mistake.

In response to the complaint, the Collector, also the returning officer, formed a three-member committee led by a sub-collector to investigate the matter. It was revealed that polling officers failed to verify the credentials of the bedridden Annamma.

As a result of the investigation, BLOs including Ambili, Deepa, and Kala Thomas were suspended from service. The district collector declared the recorded vote invalid.

The investigation led by the district collector, along with a three-member committee headed by a sub-collector, found that the polling officials incorrectly registered the vote without properly verifying the details of the application submitted at the house of the incapacitated Annamma. This was the primary conclusion of the preliminary investigation.