Home voting ballot boxes in Kerala questioned as Congress seeks Election Commission action

KPCC chief Sunny Joseph alleges home voting ballot boxes in a north Kerala district have wide openings that could allow ballot removal, urging action by the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer. District Collector Arun K Vijayan rejects the claims, saying the postal ballot process for senior citizens and differently abled voters follows Election Commission security guidelines.

KPCC chief Sunny Joseph alleged that ballot boxes used for home voting in Kannur had openings wide enough to remove ballots. Sunny Joseph asked for intervention by the CEC and the state CEO. Sunny Joseph said this step was needed to protect free and fair polling. Home voting was taking place ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections on April 9.

District Collector Arun K Vijayan later rejected the claims in an official statement. Arun K Vijayan said the boxes used for home voting had strong security steps. Arun K Vijayan also said the process was transparent and followed Election Commission rules. The statement called the allegations about the home voting boxes baseless.

Home voting ballot boxes: What Sunny Joseph alleged

Sunny Joseph raised the issue at a press conference held here. Sunny Joseph said the ballot box mouth was too wide. Sunny Joseph alleged that ballots could be taken out through the opening. Sunny Joseph questioned the purpose of the design. Sunny Joseph claimed the setup could allow tampering during home voting.

"It needs to be answered why such a wide slit was created on the box. This can be misused or tampered with. The ballot papers can be changed after taking them out. It is an attempt to sabotage the polling process,\" Joseph alleged.

Home voting ballot boxes: Collector’s response and EC rules

Arun K Vijayan said home voting followed Election Commission security standards for postal ballots. The process covered senior citizens and differently-abled persons. Arun K Vijayan said EC rules require a secure box or container. Arun K Vijayan added there was no instruction for a specially designed box.

Arun K Vijayan said the ballot boxes in Kannur matched standard sizes used elsewhere. Arun K Vijayan added similar arrangements were used in earlier parliamentary elections. Separately, Sunny Joseph said the collector became angry when approached. Sunny Joseph also alleged the collector acted as an agent of the ruling front.

The dispute focused on the home voting system being used before the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls. Sunny Joseph sought action from the CEC and the state CEO over the box opening. Arun K Vijayan maintained the boxes met EC guidelines and ensured security. No other changes to the home voting process were stated.

With inputs from PTI