Kerala House to move resolution to oust CEC Gyanesh Kumar over poll rolls

The Keralam Assembly is set to take up a resolution on Monday seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the restoration of voting rights to eligible voters whose names were wrongly excluded from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).Chief Minister V D Satheesan will present the resolution when the Assembly session begins on October 12. The opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) is also expected to support the move, as concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process intensify across the country.The proposed resolution seeks greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and calls for corrective measures to address alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.The development comes amid protests in Delhi and other parts of the country demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with opposition parties raising questions about the functioning of the poll body and the revision of electoral rolls. RESOLUTION SEEKS CHANGES TO CEC APPOINTMENT PROCESSBesides seeking the restoration of voting rights to eligible voters whose names were wrongly excluded from electoral rolls during the SIR, the proposed resolution calls for changes to the committee responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.It seeks the reconstitution of the appointment committee to include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice of India and other relevant members, with the stated aim of ensuring independence and impartiality in the appointment process. The issue is expected to trigger a political debate in the House, with the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and the opposition Left likely to press for greater accountability in the electoral process.With Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and leaders of anti-BJP parties from Keralam joining the ongoing protests, the issue is also likely to feature prominently in the Assembly.PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES BILL ALSO ON AGENDAApart from the resolution on the Election Commission, state Higher Education Minister Roji M John will move another resolution requesting the Centre to return the Kerala Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, which is currently under the President's consideration.The state government considers certain provisions of the Bill too restrictive or not aligned with its policies. It intends to withdraw or revise the legislation and introduce a fresh, more flexible framework for private universities.ASSEMBLY SESSION TO CONTINUE UNTIL OCTOBER 29The Assembly is scheduled to meet on October 12-16, 25, 27-29. The session is expected to take up four Bills.Two Bills listed for consideration are the Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2026.A Bill providing a legal guarantee for the care and protection of senior citizens is also expected to be introduced during the current session.The proceedings are likely to see political sparring, with the opposition CPI(M) and the BJP expected to raise various issues, including the SIR exercise, power cuts in the state and travel arrangements sponsored for the Chief Minister and ministers.- EndsWith PTI inputs