Kerala Assembly passes resolution to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll row

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. With this move, Kerala has become the first state in the country to seek the removal of the CEC.

Resolution Details

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan moved the resolution, which received support from both the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front and the opposition CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front. The Bharatiya Janata Party objected to the contents and proposed amendments, but those were rejected by the House. The resolution also calls for steps to improve transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission of India.

Concerns Raised

The resolution stated that complaints have emerged about crores of eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls without proper criteria or advance notice. It noted that the voting rights of marginalised sections, minorities, migrant labourers, and young voters were affected due to defects and technical issues. The House also pointed to reports that the powers of Electoral Registration Officers were diluted, amendments were made to Form 6, and two other Election Commissioners had objected to ECI decisions.

Demands Made

The state Assembly wants the Centre and the ECI to fix the defects in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and restore voting rights to all eligible voters. It also urged the restructuring of the panel that selects the CEC by including the Chief Justice of India alongside the Prime Minister and the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader, noting that the selection committee currently gives a majority to the Central government.

Context

This development builds on an earlier resolution passed by the state Assembly last September against rolling out the Special Intensive Revision. India's electoral machinery relies on independent bodies like the Election Commission to safeguard universal adult franchise and public trust during elections.