Satheesan accuses Election Commission of ‘leaking’ Kerala voters’ list to CPI(M), warns of legal action over poll bias

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan has accused the State Election Commission of acting as “a tool” of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in connection with the upcoming local body elections. He has warned that if the commission fails to ensure a free and fair election, the United Democratic Front will resort to legal action.

Addressing the media in Kannur after inaugurating the handing-over ceremony of documents to 83 landless people in the Kannur Corporation limits on Monday (July 21, 2025), Mr. Satheesan alleged that the draft voters’ list was “leaked” to the CPI(M) ahead of its official publication on July 23 and claimed that the list was tampered with to remove numerous names.

“The time provided, just five days from July 23 to August 7, for the voters to verify and add their names is grossly inadequate,” he said, demanding an extension of at least 30 days.

He also criticised the commission for failing to implement a cap of 1,100 voters per booth as was enforced during the General Elections.

“In rural areas, the number has gone up to 1,300, making it impossible to complete voting even by 10 p.m.,” he said, alleging that the move was intended to “aid the CPI(M) in disrupting the polls.”

Mr. Satheesan further claimed that the Election Commission’s actions indicated “clear support for attempts to sabotage the election process.”

“The commission must act independently, without bowing to government pressure,” he said.

Mr. Satheesan also questioned the CPI(M)’s “ambiguous response” to recent remarks by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan.

“Their vague statement confirms our allegations that the Chief Minister is using Vellappally to spread communal narratives. A leader associated with the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru should not utter words that go against his philosophy,” he said.

‘Govt-Governor tussle a staged drama’

He also criticised the recent stand-off between the State government and the Governor, terming it “a staged drama” to divert attention from mounting public discontent.

“Both the Governor and the government escalated a trivial issue for days, only to settle it after tarnishing students and universities. These theatrics emerge every time the government face a crisis,” he said.

Mr. Satheesan raised questions about the earlier appointment of Mohanan Kunnummal as the Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health University (KUHS) by the same LDF government. “If he is RSS, why did the government appoint him? Was there a prior understanding with the Sangh Parivar?” he asked.

On the controversy surrounding the death of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu, Mr. Satheesan demanded that the Revenue Minister respond to the latest revelations.

Mr. Satheesan dismissed that claims that Youth Congress workers blocked an ambulance at Vithura in Thiruvananthapuram as a “manufactured lie”, citing statements by the deceased’s family reportedly asserting that protesters “had in fact helped the patient into the ambulance.”