Kerala CM to move Assembly resolution seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan will introduce a resolution in the State Assembly on Monday demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The motion, listed under Rule 118 in an Assembly bulletin issued on Sunday, also seeks restoration of voting rights to eligible citizens left out of the voter lists and a change in the panel that appoints election commissioners.
The resolution alleges that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls was marred by irregularities, damaging public confidence in the Election Commission.
It claims that lakhs of eligible voters were removed from the rolls without transparent criteria or prior notice, with marginalised communities, minorities, migrant workers and first-time voters facing the highest risk of exclusion.
Describing such removals as a violation of democratic principles, the draft says they undermine the constitutional guarantee of adult suffrage and calls for errors to be corrected and voting rights restored to all eligible citizens.
The resolution also raises objections to the software used for preparing and verifying electoral rolls. It alleges that the system has curtailed the powers of electoral registration officers under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
It further alleges that Form 6 was amended contrary to the rules and cites media reports claiming that a majority of Election Commission members had expressed disagreement with these measures.
The motion says the Election Commission must function independently of the government and maintain transparency, arguing that any manipulation of electoral rolls amounts to a subversion of the public mandate.
On the appointment process, the resolution seeks a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
It contends that later central legislation, which removed the Chief Justice from the panel and gave the executive a majority, weakened the Commission's independence.
The resolution also demands steps to remove the Chief Election Commissioner facing allegations, saying this is essential to restore the credibility of the constitutional body.
It urges the Election Commission and the Union government to act on all three demands to protect democracy and constitutional values. The bulletin has only listed the resolution for introduction; its adoption is yet to be recorded.
(Inputs from IANS)