The Election Commission of India (EC) has suspended a district information officer in Kannur on allegations that the government’s Public Relations Department (PRD) issued an official press release in favor of a Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The action was taken on the basis of a report submitted to the commission by District Collector Arun K. Vijayan, finding the move inconsistent with the demand for a neutral election process.
The controversy centers around a PRD press release which allegedly contained details of a complaint filed by KV Sumesh, the LDF candidate from Azhikode constituency, for alleged character assassination by UDF leaders. The dismissal, highlighting claims of personal attacks against him, sparked accusations of misuse of an official platform for electoral purposes.
The Kannur District Congress Committee termed the act as a serious violation of election norms and alleged party use of government machinery. Mr. Vijayan initiated disciplinary proceedings on the basis of the UDF’s complaint after it emerged that details of Mr. Sumesh’s complaint to the Collector had been officially circulated. As the matter turned into a political controversy, the EC intervened and sought a detailed report from the Collector before ordering disciplinary action.
In Azhikode, the UDF candidate is Kareem Cheleri, district president of the Indian Muslim League (IUML), while KK Vinod Kumar, BJP Kannur district president, is in the fray as the NDA candidate.
Published – 29 March 2026 19:14 IST
