Kerala CM to move resolution seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan will move a resolution in the Assembly on Monday, seeking the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, restoration of voting rights to eligible citizens excluded from electoral rolls and changes to the panel that appoints election commissioners.  

An Assembly bulletin issued on Sunday lists the resolution for introduction under Rule 118. The proposed motion raises concerns over the Election Commission’s functioning and alleges that irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls have undermined public confidence in the institution.

The resolution cites complaints that lakhs of eligible citizens were removed from voter lists without clear criteria or prior notice. It identifies marginalised communities, minorities, migrant workers and young voters as groups whose voting rights could be compromised by procedural deficiencies and alleged manipulation. Such exclusions, the draft argues, violate democratic principles and threaten the constitutional guarantee of adult suffrage.

It calls for correction of errors and restoration of voting rights to every eligible person left out of the rolls. The motion also questions the software used to prepare and verify electoral rolls. It alleges that the system has curtailed the statutory authority of electoral registration officers under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. It alleges that Form 6 was amended contrary to the rules and refers to media accounts suggesting that a majority of Election Commission members had expressed disagreement with these measures.

The draft says the Commission must function independently of government influence and maintain transparency. Electoral roll manipulation, it argues, amounts to undermining the public mandate. Another demand concerns the selection of election commissioners.

The resolution seeks a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. It contends that subsequent central legislation excluding the Chief Justice and giving the executive a majority on the selection panel weakened the Commission’s independence.

The motion also seeks steps to remove the Chief Election Commissioner facing allegations, arguing that this is necessary to restore institutional credibility. Its concluding appeal urges the Election Commission and the Union government to act on all three demands to protect democracy and constitutional values. The bulletin schedules the resolution for introduction; it does not record its adoption.

--IANS

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