Keralam Assembly passes resolution seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal

The Keralam Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commissions functioning particularly during the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls reported the ANIThe resolution moved by Chief Minister V D Satheesan was passed with amendments Three BJP members opposed itThe resolution raised concerns over the alleged deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls without clear criteria or prior notice It also called for changes to the committee responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election CommissionersConcerns over voter deletionsAccording to the ANI the resolution alleged that irregularities in the SIR process could deprive marginalised communities minorities migrant workers and young voters of their voting rightsIt expressed concern over reports of eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls due to technical manipulation and procedural irregularitiesThe resolution also referred to media reports alleging that the Election Commission had curtailed the powers of Electoral Registration Officers to prepare voter lists through software systems It further cited allegations that Form 6 used to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls had been amended in violation of existing rules as per the ANIThe resolution also referred to reports claiming that a majority of the Election Commissions members had expressed disagreement with these actionsCalls for corrective measuresCalling for immediate corrective action the resolution urged the Election Commission to address the alleged irregularities and restore the voting rights of all eligible citizens whose names had been excluded from electoral rollsIt said the Election Commission as a constitutional body must function independently and impartially without government influenceThe resolution added that any alleged manipulation of electoral rolls could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and weaken democratic institutionsSeeks changes to selection panelThe resolution also called for the reconstitution of the committee responsible for selecting the Chief Election Commissioner and Election CommissionersIt proposed that the selection panel comprise the Prime Minister the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India reported the ANIAccording to the resolution the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee and changes to the panels composition had raised concerns about the impartiality of the appointment processBJP proposes amendmentsDuring the discussion BJP MLA V Muraleedharan proposed amendments to the resolution including the addition of the Election Commissions response to reports concerning changes to Form 6He also proposed adding a statement condemning attempts by vested interests to discredit the Election Commission a constitutional bodyThe resolution ultimately called on the Election Commission and the Central Government to take steps towards the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner citing concerns over the Commissions impartiality as per the ANIIt said the proposed measures were necessary to protect democracy uphold constitutional values and safeguard the right to vote guaranteed under Article 326 of the Constitutionwith ANI inputs