Request of NDA candidate to change her name on voting machine rejected

Kochi: The request of the NDA candidate in Tripunithura constituency to modify her name from Anjali P V to Anjali Nair on the voting machine was rejected by the returning officer, citing that election process was already initiated. Changing her name at this juncture would be impossible since election process and home voting started on March 30 and the polling will be held on April 9.The returning officer of the constituency held a hearing on Saturday morning following the recent high court direction based on the candidate's petition. She filed the nomination paper with her actual name and the same was carried on the voting machine. However, she cited in the petition that despite her actual name being Anjali P V, she uses Anjali Nair in her public life and during election campaign. She alleged this would create confusion among voters and affect her prospects of securing votes. However, the returning officer noted that, neither the candidate nor the representative failed to raise objection on using the actual name during draft ballot inspection held on March 28. Besides, she filed the request on March 31, a day after the home voting process started. The official also cited that since there is no other candidate with the same name contesting from the constituency, the issue of confusion among voters will not arise as there is a photo and symbol of the candidate. He also pointed out that to change the name, the election process will have to be suspended, and it would be impossible. This would also adversely affect completing the election on April 9. Citing these reasons, the returning officer rejected her request at the hearing.