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Thiruvananthapuram: As the local body polls are underway, BJP candidate R Sreelekha IPS landed in controversy after a Facebook post referring to a pre-poll survey triggered allegations of a poll code violation—just hours after voting began in the first phase of Kerala’s local body elections.
“This is a clear case of poll code violation. It is indeed shocking to know that a former DGP did not know about election protocols”, said K Muraleedharan.
He added that the Congress will win the local body polls in Kerala with a landslide majority.
Once the controversy made headlines, Sreelekha deleted the post. The former DIG is contesting from the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Reacting to the row, Minister V Sivankutty criticized her actions, calling the post a reflection of her “political ignorance.”
“She has no understanding of the political situation in the state. She simply shared something written by someone else, without studying previous elections or analyzing voter sentiment,” he told reporters after casting his vote.
The Election Commission of India strictly regulates pre-poll surveys under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibits the publication or publicity of exit polls or opinion polls during the 48 hours leading up to the end of polling.
The first phase of local body elections is underway in seven districts—Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam.
Sreelekha deletes post following social media outrage
Following criticism in social media groups and in public, the former DGP had to delete her post and thus ending the controversy.
