The Election Commission of India (ECI) was directed by the Kerala High Court on March 29 to take steps to make certain that voters having their names entered in voters list in multiple constituencies cast only one vote in the April 6 polls to the State Assembly.

The court gave the interim order on a petition filed by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala seeking to restrain bogus and multiple entry voters from participating in the April 6 polls. Considering the plea, the court said this was a serious issue concerning the rights of the citizens. The court will consider the case further on March 30. The court on Friday had sought the views of the poll panel on the plea.

The Election Commission on March 29 informed the court that it will ensure the sanctity of the elections by ensuring that no multiple votes are cast by such voters in the polls.

In his plea, Mr. Chennithala had sought criminal action against those responsible for fake and multiple entry of voters’ names in 131 Assembly constituencies in the state. He also alleged that a scrutiny of the electoral rolls would prove that there were more than 4,34,042 fake and multiple entry voters in these Assembly segments.

He appealed to the court to issue an interim order directing the Election Commission to ensure that fake and multiple entry voters in the electoral roll are not permitted to vote in the Assembly election.

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