Senior CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Chief Election Commissioner of Kerala, Rathan U. Kelkar, on Thursday (May 15, 2025) ordered a criminal investigation into veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former Minister G. Sudhakaran’s statement that office-bearers of service organisations supporting his party had tampered with postal ballots to benefit the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate K. Devadas, who was contesting from the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency in 1989. 

Mr Khelkar stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had taken a serious view of the media reports regarding Mr Sudhakaran’s controversial statement in Alappuzha. 

Mr Sudhakaran was the CPI(M)‘s election commission secretary then. He said the party used the help of its service organisation members to collect postal ballots allotted to government staff on election duty. Mr Sudhakaran claimed that pro-CPI(M) service members tore open the postal ballots and altered 15% of the votes cast by government officials for the opposing candidate. He had also dared the ECI to register a case against him.

The CEC directed the police to register a case under Sections 136 and 128 of the Representation of the People’s Act 1951 and relevant provisions of the Bharathiya Nyaya Samhita immediately. He also sought a report from the District Election Officer, Alappuzha. Opposition parties had also demanded an investigation based on Mr Sudhakaran’s claim.