Thiruvananthapuram: The Keralam Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the alleged exclusion of eligible voters.
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister V D Satheesan, described the denial of voting rights to eligible citizens as a violation of the Constitution. It raised concerns over the revision of electoral rolls, the potential disenfranchisement of voters and the impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The resolution called for corrective measures to address alleged irregularities in the SIR process and the immediate restoration of voting rights to eligible voters who had been wrongfully excluded.
It also sought the reconstitution of the committee responsible for appointing election commissioners, proposing a three-member panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. According to the resolution, this arrangement would help safeguard the independence and credibility of the Election Commission.
The resolution cited alleged violations of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. It also warned that technical manipulation of electoral rolls could deprive marginalised communities, minorities, migrant workers and young voters of their franchise.
Keralam makes history.
For the first time, the Keralam Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution seeking the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
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.
Through this historic resolution, Keralam has put forward three clear demands:
1. Restore voting rights: 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.
2. Remove the Chief Election Commissioner: Initiate proceedings to remove the Chief Election Commissioner, whose impartiality has come under serious question.
3. Reform the selection process: 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 right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. No institution can be allowed to undermine the constitutional rights of our citizens.
Our stand is unequivocal. The right to vote must be protected. The Constitution must be upheld. Democracy must prevail.
Keralam stands firmly for free and fair elections.
#VDSatheesan #Keralam
— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) October 12, 2026
Amendments Trigger Debate
The resolution prompted a debate in the House, with members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposing the move while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) supported it.
BJP legislators B Gopakumar and V Muraleedharan proposed amendments to the resolution. Saji Cherian also moved an amendment, citing the exclusion of 24 lakh voters and the creation of software named ‘eci.net’.
The government rejected the amendments proposed by the BJP members and two Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislators. However, it accepted a verbal amendment suggested by Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, who called for replacing the phrase “lakhs of voters were excluded” with “crores of voters”.
The proceedings also saw the opposition move an amendment seeking the cancellation of the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections and the dissolution of the Assembly.
Another legislator proposed further amendments, including a reference to the Election Commission’s reported clarification that media reports about alterations to Form 6 were factually incorrect.
The member also sought the inclusion of a clause rejecting attempts by vested interests to discredit the Election Commission as a constitutional body. The Speaker subsequently clarified that these amendments had been formally tabled in the House.
