State Election Commission seeks report from Kannur Collector on uncontested CPI(M) wins in Anthoor, Malapattam

The State Election Commission has sought a report from Kannur Collector Arun K. Vijayan after Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] candidates were elected unopposed in several wards, including in the Anthoor municipality and the Malapattam grama panchayat, in the district.

State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan sought the report following a petition filed by activist and Kerala High Court lawyer Kulathoor Jaisingh. The complainant alleged that the uncontested victories were a result of organised intimidation that prevented candidates from filing nomination papers. He stated that the denial of freedom to submit nomination, through threats and coercion, undermined the democratic process. The petition pointed out that obstructing citizens from publicly or secretly filing nomination papers or using threats and authority to prevent participation constituted a serious offence under election laws.

The Collector has been asked to submit a detailed report on the circumstances that led to the uncontested results.