Congress Nominees' Poll Prospects in Jeopardy as Voter List Discrepancies Emerge

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In Kerala's upcoming local body elections, two prominent Congress candidates are facing uncertainty over their eligibility to contest. VM Vinu, a film director and potential mayoral candidate in Kozhikode, and Vyshna Suresh from Thiruvananthapuram, might not be able to run due to discrepancies in the voter lists. The issue arose when the CPI(M) complained to the State Election Commission (SEC) that Vyshna's address was incorrect and her name should be removed from the list. Although the high court intervened, stating that her removal without a proper inquiry was improper, the SEC is set to announce its decision on Wednesday. Vyshna is optimistic that she will be allowed to contest. Meanwhile, Vinu's name does not appear in the SEC's final voter list or the 2020 list. He and the Congress claim that he voted in the 2020 election and accuse the CPI(M) of being behind the omission. The Congress has nominated Arunima M Kurup, a transwoman, to contest in the Alappuzha district panchayat, a stronghold of the CPI(M). Kurup, a former CPI(M) activist, hopes to win the area for the Congress after becoming disillusioned with the party.