Keralam has become the first state in India to pass a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The state Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the resolution that was moved by Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The ruling UDF and the opposition, LDF, joined hands to pass the resolution, while three MLAs of the BJP raised objections.
The resolution puts forward three demands, namely 'restoring voting rights', 'removal of CEC' and 'reforming the selection process' of the Election Commissioners.
"Address the irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and immediately restore the voting rights of all eligible voters who have been wrongfully excluded," said Chief Minister Satheesan.
"Initiate proceedings to remove the Chief Election Commissioner, whose impartiality has come under serious question and reconstitute the Election Commissioners’ selection committee to include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India, ensuring the independence and credibility of the institution," the chief minister added.
The resolution alleged that lakhs of eligible voters in various states in the country were removed from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The resolution had also said that those affected by the deletions included members of the marginalised and minority communities, migrant workers and new voters.
The state's Home Department had earlier ordered a Vigilance probe against the CEC in a case from 2006. The Vigilance probe is linked to Gyanesh Kumar's tenure as PWD Secretary in Kerala.
Gyanesh Kumar's resignation is the prime demand of opposition parties in the country in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
"The integrity of our electoral process is non-negotiable. Serious concerns over voter roll revisions, the disenfranchisement of eligible voters, and the impartiality of the Election Commission cannot be ignored," Chief Minister Satheesan said.
Delhi has been the epicentre of protests against the CEC, with youth organisations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continuing their agitations in the national capital.