Published Oct 12, 2026 | 12:08 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 12, 2026 | 12:11 AM
It would mark the first time in Indian parliamentary history that a state legislature has initiated a resolution seeking the removal of a sitting CEC.
Synopsis: The Kerala Assembly is set to move a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral roll manipulation and mass voter deletions during SIR. The resolution, backed by the LDF, calls for restoring eligible voters deleted from the electoral rolls and restructuring the committee responsible for selecting the CEC.
In an unprecedented move, the Kerala Legislative Assembly is set to move a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, who faces allegations of manipulating electoral rolls and overseeing the mass deletion of voters through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The resolution will be moved by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on October 12, under Rule 118 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
It would mark the first time in Indian parliamentary history that a state legislature has initiated a resolution seeking the removal of a sitting Chief Election Commissioner.
The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), the opposition alliance in the state, will back the resolution while three BJP legislators are expected to oppose it.
The resolution describes transparent elections and the citizens’ right to vote as the fundamental principle of Indian democracy. It states that the country is facing a dangerous scenario due to widespread allegations against the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
It mentions the allegations surrounding the deliberate deletion of voters through the SIR and changes made to Form 6.
“Due to the irregularities in the SIR, several legitimate voters have been removed from the electoral rolls, and their democratic rights have been denied,” the resolution says.
It also mentions allegations of hijacking the power of the Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) through the ECINet software.
“The Election Commission has failed to operate the software—used for scrutinising and processing voter applications—in a lawful and efficient manner that protects citizens’ right to vote in accordance with democratic principles and the Election Registration Rules. Immediate measures must be taken to address such shortcomings and to unconditionally restore the voting rights of all eligible individuals,” the resolution says.
The resolution makes three key demands for the “protection of democracy and federal principles.”
It calls for formal action against the CEC, citing the need to restore public confidence in the Election Commission amid concerns over its impartiality.
It also seeks a comprehensive overhaul of the SIR process to ensure that eligible voters are not denied their voting rights due to administrative errors.
Additionally, the resolution proposes restructuring the committee responsible for selecting the CEC, with the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a representative of the Supreme Court as members, to strengthen the institution’s independence.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
