In a historic legislative move, the Keralam Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on Monday seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, marking the first time a state assembly in the country has taken such a step.
The motion, presented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was supported by the Opposition LDF but was opposed by three BJP MLAs.
The motion addresses widespread concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which critics argue has led to systemic irregularities and the wrongful disenfranchisement of eligible voters. Emphasizing that the right to vote is the foundational bedrock of Indian democracy, the Assembly pressed forward with three principal demands:
Restoration of voting rights: Immediate rectification of anomalies tied to the SIR process to reinstate all eligible citizens whose names were improperly excluded from electoral rolls.
Removal of the CEC: Initiation of formal proceedings to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar, citing a severe lapse in institutional impartiality.
Selection process reforms: Overhauling the high-level panel responsible for appointing Election Commissioners to include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India, thereby insulating the body from executive overreach.
Reaffirming the state's uncompromising stance following the assembly session, Chief Minister VD Satheesan, in a statement on X stressed that no authority can be permitted to chip away at constitutional guarantees.
"The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. No institution can be allowed to undermine the constitutional rights of our citizens," Satheesan stated. "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," he said.
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