Thiruvananthapuram | BJP Kerala general secretary S Suresh on Saturday alleged that Election Commission officials, including the state CEO, were colluding with the government and the ruling CPI(M) to "undermine" free and fair polls in the state.
Addressing a press conference here, Suresh referred to the recent row in which a BJP seal was found on a document issued by the Election Commission to political parties, leading to the suspension of an official.
Suresh identified the suspended officer as Jaisal B Aziz, alleging that he is associated with an NGO union in the state secretariat.
He claimed that the officer, who had recently joined service, was deputed to the Election Commission due to his alleged links with organisations such as the DYFI and SFI.
"The BJP is concerned and suspects that Election Commission officials, including the Chief Electoral Officer, have become part of a ploy by the state government and the CPI(M) to derail free and fair elections in the state," Suresh said.
The incident had drawn wider attention after a document circulated by the Election Commission to political parties in Kerala was found to bear a BJP seal.
CEO Rathan U Kelkar had termed it a clerical error and ordered the suspension of the official concerned.
Subsequently, those who had shared the document carrying the BJP seal on social media were asked to remove the posts.
There was no immediate response from the CEO or the CPI (M) over Suresh's allegations.
Single phase elections to 140 Assembly segments in Kerala will be held on April 9.
