Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: IUML leader booked for offering UAE trip to booth workers in Malappuram

An FIR has been registered against an Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader for allegedly offering a foreign trip to members of the booth committee where the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate would secure the highest number of votes in the Thavanur Assembly constituency, police said on Sunday.

The case has been registered against IUML State vice-president Bava Haji of Mangalam in Malappuram, they said.

According to the police, during a convention held on March 22, Mr. Haji, while campaigning for Congress leader V.S. Joy, allegedly announced a 15-day trip to the UAE for members of the UDF booth committee that delivers the maximum votes.

The matter was first reported to the Election Commission by Left Democratic Front (LDF) representatives.

MCC violation

Following an inquiry, the Commission found it to be a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the police said.

Based on the Commission’s direction, the Tirur police registered a case under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Representation of the People Act, officials said.

The police said Mr. Haji would be summoned for questioning as part of the investigation.

Authorities have also recovered video footage of the convention in which the IUML leader allegedly made the offer, they added.

In Thavanur, Mr. Joy is contesting against LDF-backed Independent K.T. Jaleel, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Ravi Thelath.