Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has invited the wrath of election officials for reportedly stating that welfare pensioners would invite divine retribution upon themselves if they failed to vote for LDF.

Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena on Monday issued a warning to the minister through Chief Secretary Tom Jose in this regard.

The CEO has also cautioned Mr Surendran not to repeat such statements. Attempting to instil fear in the name of god constitutes a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The minister's statement is also a violation of Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, Mr Meena said.

Mr Surendran had made the statement while speaking at an election rally in Kannur.

SWORD INCIDENT: CEO SEEKS REPORT

The Chief Electoral Officer has also sought a report from State Police Chief Loknath Behera on a report that a sword was seen during the election campaign of M.B.Rajesh, the LDF candidate in Palakkad constituency.

Such incidents would hinder a free and fair election, Mr Meena informed Mr Behera. Weapons are banned in election campaigns and such incidents constitute a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Mr Meena said.

Mr Behera has been instructed to investigate the incident, take appropriate action and file a report to the CEO.

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