Kozhikode: The State Election Commission Kerala has instructed the Local Self-Government Department secretary to immediately transfer the Koduvally municipality secretary and initiate further action following alleged lapses in duty, as local body elections near.

Missing voter list documents trigger probe

The directive comes after allegations that signed applications and supporting documents connected to voter list irregularities went missing from the Koduvally municipal office. Municipal chairperson Vellara Abdu (V. Abdurahman) had lodged a complaint with the Kozhikode District Collector regarding the missing files. Acting on the complaint, the Collector recommended disciplinary action against the secretary.

Secretary last reported for duty three days before the publication of the final voter list.

Officials inspect municipal office

Deputy Director of the Local Self-Government Department, Baiju Jose, and Senior Superintendent U.K. Rajan visited the Koduvally municipal office on Saturday to investigate the complaints. When the final voter list was released, several names were reportedly missing across multiple divisions.

As per regulations, all voter list complaints must be addressed to the municipal secretary. However, the secretary’s absence left numerous petitions from excluded voters unresolved.

Citizens express anger over absenteeism

Without a secretary in charge, complainants gathered daily at the municipality office, confronting the municipal superintendent in protest. The lack of leadership triggered growing public frustration, with residents occupying the premises from morning till evening for consecutive days.

Around 300 affected voters later staged a protest at the Kozhikode Collectorate, submitting a fresh complaint to the District Collector.

Collector demands report on missing records

Responding to public outrage, the Collector ordered an inquiry and sought a report within three days. As the secretary failed to return, the municipal superintendent informed protestors that a reply would be ready by 3 p.m. on Thursday. However, when they returned, he explained that the secretary held all the relevant records, leaving the office unable to produce the required documents.

Widespread voter list irregularities reported

Complaints have surfaced from 21 of the 37 divisions within Koduvally municipality. In several cases, members of the same family were found registered in different divisions. While family heads remained listed in their original divisions, spouses and children were transferred elsewhere.

Some voters found their names entirely removed, including individuals intending to contest the upcoming election. Others appeared twice—once as existing voters and again as new entrants in another division.

Among those repeatedly visiting the municipal office to restore their names were elderly citizens above 70 years old, reflecting widespread public distress over the administrative lapses.