Kerala Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: The state Assembly has passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of undermining the democratic system. Chief Minister V D Satheesan moved the resolution, which was supported by all UDF and LDF members. The three BJP members opposed it.

This is the first time a state Assembly has passed a resolution calling for the removal of an Election Commissioner.

Satheesan said the Election Commission had failed to ensure transparency in the electoral process and had lost its credibility. He said irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had led to the deletion of the names of numerous eligible voters, depriving them of their democratic rights.

The Chief Minister said the Election Commission was increasingly becoming subservient to the government. He also called for a change in the process of appointing Election Commissioners.

The resolution proposed that a committee comprising the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha should select the Election Commissioner. It called for the committee to be reconstituted accordingly.

MLA M Vijin proposed an amendment seeking action against state Election Commissioners as well, but the Chief Minister rejected it.