Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala Teeka Ram Meena confirmed on Friday that three more people cast bogus votes in the Lok Sabha election held on April 23 in Kerala. The three cast bogus votes from a polling booth in Kalliasseri in Kannur district, which comes under Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency.
According to a report in Manorama Online, Muhammed Fayiz, Abdul Samad and KM Muhammed cast bogus votes in booth number 69 and 70. The three reportedly are the supporters of IUML.
Kasaragod District Collector had given a detailed report after conducting an inquiry into the allegation of bogus voting in the constituency. After checking the visuals of the booth, Kasaragod district collector D Sajith Babu on Wednesday had said that Muhammed Fayiz and another person Hashiq had cast bogus votes. But CEO Teeka Ram Meena on Friday, after receiving the report of the Collector, said that it was not sure whether Hashiq had cast multiple votes.
“He is seen to be entering two polling booths, but visuals do not show him casting vote in both the places,” Meena told the media on Friday.
With this latest confirmation, a total of seven people in the state are reported to have cast bogus votes. Though there are other bogus votes allegations, CEO of Kerala have so far confirmed seven cases.
Muhammed Fayiz and Abdul Samad are reported to have cast their votes twice, whereas K M Muhammed cast his vote thrice.
Till date, cases have been filed against three women – Panchayat member MVSalina, former Panchayat member KP Sumya and Padmini – who cast bogus votes from Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency and one man, K Shyamakumar, a resident of Karakkad. The three women are reported to be supporters of CPI(M).
Kerala CEO Teeka Ram Meena has also asked to take legal action against Muhammed Fayiz, Abdul Samad and K M Muhammed. CEO has also directed to provide a report on the involvement of booth officials in Puthiyangadi booth.