The Kerala High Court issued a series of directions to ensure peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections in Kannur, responding to petitions filed by candidates and individuals who expressed apprehensions about violence, intimidation, and disruption in certain polling areas. The Court noted the concerns raised regarding the vulnerability of specific booths and emphasised the necessity of strong preventive and monitoring measures to maintain order during the polling process.
The Court instructed that all polling booths identified as sensitive or hyper-sensitive must be equipped with live webcasting facilities. It also directed the deployment of additional police personnel at these locations to ensure real-time surveillance and to deter any interference with the electoral process. These measures were intended to strengthen transparency and reduce opportunities for malpractice or coercion.
The Court further held that any candidate or booth agent seeking videography of the polling process in their designated booth could apply to the District Election Officer within the prescribed time. Upon receiving such an application within the stipulated period, permission for videography must be granted, with the cost to be borne by the applicant. This was to provide an additional safeguard where candidates felt the need for enhanced documentation of polling activity.
The Court also addressed concerns regarding personal safety. It stated that candidates, their agents, or any individuals who feared threats or acts of violence during the election period could apply for police protection from the jurisdictional District Police Chief or Commissioner of Police. Applications submitted within the specified timeframe were required to be considered and acted upon, ensuring that adequate protection measures were provided wherever necessary.
Additionally, the Court directed that in the event of any law-and-order issues arising during polling, immediate deployment of additional police forces must be ensured by the State Police Chief and the concerned District Police Chief. This directive was aimed at preventing escalation and ensuring that polling could continue without disruption.
In its observations, the Court acknowledged the public perception of Kannur as a politically sensitive region but noted that the district is populated by courteous and community-minded individuals with literacy levels above the state average. It urged the residents and the police administration of Kannur to demonstrate that elections can be conducted peacefully, thereby dispelling long-standing negative stereotypes associated with the region.
With these directions, the Court disposed of the petitions, placing responsibility on the State Police and the election authorities to implement the measures and ensure that polling in Kannur proceeds in a secure and orderly manner.
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