A political controversy has erupted in Kerala after veteran CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran admitted to tampering with postal ballots during the 1989 Lok Sabha elections in the Alappuzha constituency. The revelation, made at a gathering of former NGO Union leaders in Alappuzha, has triggered outrage and prompted the Election Commission to launch an investigation.
Sudhakaran, a former minister, stated that postal ballots were opened to identify members of a party-backed NGO union who had voted for the opposition. According to Sudhakaran, about 15% of the voters had cast their ballots for the opposing candidate. He said that these ballots were then verified and altered. Sudhakaran was the election committee secretary at the time. He also added that he wouldn't mind facing legal action for his remarks.
The CPI(M) had fielded K.V. Devadas as its candidate in Alappuzha for the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. Devadas lost to Congress candidate Vakkom Purushothaman by over 25,000 votes. Election Commission records indicate that Purushothaman secured 375,763 votes, while Devadas received 350,640 votes.
Following the revelation, the Election Commission has taken the matter seriously and ordered a probe. The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, Rathan U. Kelkar, directed the Alappuzha district collector and election officer to initiate a case and take immediate action. As part of the investigation, EC officials visited Sudhakaran's residence and recorded his statement. The matter will be submitted to the district collector for further action.
Tampering with postal ballots is a grave violation of the law, potentially falling under Sections 135, 135A, 136, and 128 of the Representation of the People Act, the Conduct of Elections Rules, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
CPI (M) district secretary R. Nazar has denied the allegation of postal ballot tampering. Nazar stated that he was unaware of the circumstances under which Sudhakaran made the statement. Subsequent to the Election Commission's decision to initiate a case, Sudhakaran seemingly backtracked, stating that he made a figurative remark and that the CPM never engaged in such manipulations.
