Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday came out in support of Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena, who has been under fire from the CPI(M) for his report on bogus voting, and said the CEO was functioning within his legal framework.
Vijayan, in a press meet, said there are mechanisms in a democracy to counter the malpractices like bogus voting.
"Our democratic system is very secure. If there is any wrongdoing, there are mechanisms in our democracy to initiate action against such incidents," he said.
The CEO had on April 29 said that three women, including a panchayat member, had cast bogus votes in Kasargod constituency.
Rejecting the charge, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had criticised the CEO and alleged that Meena was acting in accordance with UDF's ploy.
"The Chief Electoral Officer has to take a stand as per his post and authority.
Why should we be worried about his actions?