An official from the District Information Office in Kannur, Kerala, has been suspended amid controversy stemming from a press release linked to a complaint by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) during the ongoing election campaign. The suspension was triggered by the dissemination of details concerning a complaint that alleged attempts by the United Democratic Front (UDF) to undermine the character of LDF candidate KV Sumesh.

Accusations of Political Propaganda Arise

The LDF’s constituency secretary, M Prakashan, had formally requested that action be taken against the UDF regarding these allegations. Following the release of the press note, the Congress party criticized the Public Relations Department (PRD), claiming it was engaging in political propaganda. District Congress Committee president Martin George asserted that the PRD had breached established norms by distributing a politically charged communication and indicated plans to address the issue with the Election Commission.

Official’s Actions Validated as Breaches of Duty

In response to the uproar, the Kannur District Collector, Arun K. Vijayan, who also serves as the District Election Officer, initiated disciplinary action against the official in charge of the press release. An official statement revealed that the complaint—pertaining to the Kerala Legislative Assembly Election 2026—had been improperly shared with the media by the District Information Office without proper authorization and prior to the conclusion of the enquiry process. This release constituted a breach of duty under Section 134 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as well as a violation of directives from the Election Commission of India aimed at preserving the neutrality of government machinery.

Upcoming Assembly Elections Scheduled

The Kerala Legislative Assembly elections are set to take place in a single phase on April 9, with the counting of votes planned for May 4. The current assembly’s tenure will end on May 23. In the previous assembly elections held in 2021, the LDF secured a historic victory, retaining power with 99 seats, while the UDF won 41 seats. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) did not manage to win any seats, despite achieving 11.4 percent of the vote share. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) emerged as the largest single party, winning 62 seats, while the Congress managed to secure 21 seats in the same elections.

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