Kerala Chief Minister to Propose Removal of Chief Election Commissioner in Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : Kerala’s Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is set to introduce a proposal in the assembly calling for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This proposal also seeks to restore voting rights for eligible citizens who have been removed from the electoral rolls and suggests changes to the panel responsible for appointing election commissioners.

The proposal, scheduled for introduction under Rule 118 of the assembly’s procedures, raises concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission. It alleges that irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists have eroded public trust in the institution.

Drafted complaints indicate that millions of eligible citizens have been removed from the voter lists without clear criteria or prior notice. The proposal highlights marginalized communities, minorities, migrant workers, and young voters as groups particularly affected by procedural flaws and alleged manipulation.

According to the draft, excluding eligible citizens from the voter rolls violates democratic principles and threatens the constitutional guarantee of adult suffrage. It calls for rectifying errors in the voter lists and restoring the voting rights of all eligible citizens who have been disenfranchised.

The proposal also questions the software used for preparing and verifying voter lists, claiming it has restricted the statutory rights of electoral registration officers under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Electoral Registration Rules, 1960.

Additionally, it alleges that amendments to Form-6 were made contrary to regulations, referencing media reports suggesting that many members of the Election Commission disagreed with these measures. The draft argues that the Election Commission must operate independently of government influence and maintain transparency in its operations, asserting that manipulation of the voter lists undermines the public mandate.

The proposal further calls for restructuring the selection committee responsible for appointing election commissioners. It suggests forming a committee that includes the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. The draft criticizes a recent law passed by the central government that excluded the Chief Justice from this committee, arguing that it diminishes the independence of the Election Commission.

Moreover, the proposal demands action to remove the Chief Election Commissioner, who is facing allegations, asserting that this step is crucial for restoring institutional credibility. The proposal concludes with a call for both the Election Commission and the central government to address these three demands to safeguard democracy and constitutional values. While the assembly bulletin lists the proposal for introduction, it does not mention any plans for its passage.