SEC directs Local Self-Government dept. to transfer Koduvally municipal Secretary

The State Election Commission (SEC) has directed the Secretary of the Local Self-Government deaprtment (LSGD) to transfer and take disciplinary action against the Secretary of Koduvally Municipality over his continuous absence from his office, against the backdrop of the forthcoming local body polls. The order comes after various political parties complained about the Secretary to the Election Commission. However, the department is yet to issue a transfer order.

The United Democratic Front has alleged that V.S. Manoj, the municipal Secretary, had deliberately removed several people from the electoral rolls due to political pressure. Besides, some documents in connection with the voters’ list had gone missing from the office. The Secretary has been absent for nearly two weeks and could not be contacted over phone. Municipal Chairman Vellara Abdu had complained to the District Collector, who recommended disciplinary action to the Commission, based on which the action has been recommended.

The issue came to light when the final voters’ list of the municipality was published. Several people were excluded from the voters’ list for no apparent reason. Complaints regarding the voters’ list in local bodies need to be submitted to the Secretary. However, they could not contact the Secretary after the first few days and the issue has not been resolved. Hundreds of complaints reach the municipal office every day.

The Collector had ordered an investigation into the issue based on which Deputy Director of LSGD Baiju Jose and Senior Superintendent U.K. Rajan had visited the municipal office on Saturday.