Congress’s Youngest Candidate Vyshna Barred from Contesting in Thiruvananthapuram Local Elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vyshna Suresh, the youngest candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Thiruvananthapuram local body elections, has been removed from the supplementary voters’ list by the State Election Commission. This decision came after a complaint was filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). The UDF has announced its intention to file an appeal against the ruling. According to election regulations, a candidate is eligible to contest for the council only if their name is present on the voter list of a ward within the corporation. Vyshna was slated to be the UDF candidate for the Muttada ward.

The CPM’s primary contention was that Vyshna’s name was absent from the voter list. Given that the supplementary list had not yet been officially published, election officials were unable to verify whether her name had been included. This procedural hurdle ultimately prevented Vyshna from submitting her nomination papers.

The authorities arrived at their decision after thoroughly hearing arguments pertaining to both Vyshna’s supplementary list application and the complaint lodged by the CPM. It was noted that in her voter list application, the building’s TC number was recorded as 18/564. The CPM alleged that a different family resides at this address, asserting that Vyshna has no connection to them and is not a tenant at that location.

In response, Vyshna clarified that her actual house number is TC 18/2365 and that she had utilized the number recorded alongside her name in the voter register when submitting her application. She confirmed that all necessary documents had been furnished to the corporation’s election cell.

Despite currently residing in Ambalamukku on a rental basis, Vyshna’s father’s ancestral home is situated within the Muttada ward. This address is consistently reflected in all her official identification documents, including her election identity card. She also confirmed having cast her vote using this address in the previous Lok Sabha elections.

Vyshna further alleged that officials at the election cell declined to accept an affidavit she provided, which sought to correct the house number to 18/2365. She stated her intention to forward her application to the election cell via speed post.