Keralam Assembly passes resolution seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: The Keralam Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The resolution, believed to be the first of its kind moved by a state Assembly, was introduced by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. It cited serious concerns over the revision of voter rolls, the alleged exclusion of eligible voters and questions surrounding the impartiality of the Election Commission.

The Assembly sought an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise and the immediate restoration of voting rights to all eligible voters who were wrongfully removed from the electoral rolls.

It also called for the reconstitution of the committee that selects Election Commissioners, proposing that it comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. The resolution said the change was necessary to safeguard the independence and credibility of the Election Commission.

“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. No institution can be allowed to undermine the constitutional rights of our citizens. Our stand is unequivocal. The right to vote must be protected. The Constitution must be upheld. Democracy must prevail. Keralam stands firmly for free and fair elections,” Satheesan said in a post on X.

The move comes as the Congress-led Opposition intensifies its agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi leading calls for his resignation over allegations of irregularities in the electoral roll revision.