There is a fine line between duty and being given the powers to investigate and enforce.
What due diligence did the civil servant do to arrive at the conclusion?
They've effectively accused the candidates of lying on an official document - not sure what the penalties are for this. If they are indeed lying, should they not also be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law where everyone is given the opportunity to defend themselves.
Half arsed shit ... either prosecute the localists for whatever-the-charge-is or don't make a clown of yourself in the view of the world.