The Kerala Assembly is set to become the first state legislature in India to take up a resolution seeking the removal of a Chief Election Commissioner. Chief Minister V D Satheesan will move the resolution on Monday, calling for greater transparency in the Election Commission’s functioning and the correction of alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The resolution comes against the backdrop of growing protests in Delhi and other parts of the country demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal. Both the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the opposition CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) have participated in these protests, a rare instance of rival fronts finding common ground on the issue.
If passed, the resolution would mark an unprecedented step. No state assembly has previously adopted a formal resolution calling for the removal of a CEC. While the move is expected to receive support from the ruling alliance, it is likely to trigger a broader debate in the House over the Election Commission’s accountability and the integrity of the electoral roll revision process.
The Assembly session, which began on Monday, is scheduled to continue until October 29. Beyond the CEC resolution, the session will also take up a resolution urging the Centre to return the Kerala Private Universities Bill, 2025, currently pending before the President. Several other Bills are on the agenda, including legislation on court fees, Hindu religious endowments, and a proposed legal framework for the care and protection of senior citizens.
The session is expected to see sharp exchanges between the ruling and opposition fronts over the SIR exercise, power cuts, and the state government’s travel arrangements for the Chief Minister and ministers.
Source: Tribune India (PTI inputs)
