The Election Commission of India (EC) has suspended the district information officer in Kannur following allegations that the government’s Public Relations department (PRD) issued an official press release favouring a Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The action was taken based on a report submitted by District Collector Arun K. Vijayan to the commission, finding the move inconsistent with the requirement of a neutral election process.
The controversy centres on a PRD press release that reportedly carried details of a complaint filed by K.V. Sumesh, the LDF candidate from the Azhikode constituency, alleging character assassination by UDF leaders. The release, highlighting claims of personal attacks against him, sparked accusation of misuse of an official platform for electoral purposes.
The Kannur District Congress Committee had termed the act a serious violation of election norms, alleging partisan use of government machinery. Mr. Vijayan initiated disciplinary proceedings based on a complaint from the UDF after it emerged that details of Mr. Sumesh’s complaint to the Collector had been officially circulated. With the issue escalating into a political controversy, the EC intervened and sought a detailed report from the Collector before ordering disciplinary action.
In Azhikode, Kareem Cheleri, district president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), is the UDF candidate, while K.K. Vinod Kumar, BJP Kannur district president, is in the fray as the NDA candidate.