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New Delhi, October 31:India’s opposition INDIA bloc on Saturday held a symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of electoral irregularities and undermining the country’s democratic process.
The resolution seeking Kumar’s removal was unanimously adopted through a show of hands at a mock parliamentary-style meeting held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi.
The proceedings were presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Kharge moved the resolution, while Samajwadi Party MP Harendra Malik seconded it.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and representatives of at least 18 opposition parties attended the programme.
The resolution listed six charges against the CEC, including alleged manipulation of electoral rolls, arbitrary deletion of voters, changes to voter registration rules without parliamentary oversight and centralisation of control over electoral data.
The opposition alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had resulted in the deletion of around 13.2 crore voters, depriving eligible citizens of their constitutional right to vote.
It also accused Kumar of changing Form 6 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, without parliamentary approval, allegedly making it harder for first-time voters to register.
Another allegation concerned the use of the ECINET electoral software, which the opposition claimed was being used to manipulate voter lists and restrict local election officials from adding eligible voters.
The INDIA bloc further alleged that Kumar had excluded the other two Election Commissioners from important decision-making processes and had failed to maintain the independence of the Election Commission.
Reading out the resolution, Kharge accused the CEC of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said the initiative was aimed at protecting the credibility of the Election Commission rather than pursuing any personal dispute with Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi supported the resolution, calling for Kumar’s removal and legal action over the allegations.
He claimed that the opposition had sufficient evidence to challenge the CEC’s continuation in office.
Several opposition leaders and civil society representatives also addressed the gathering. Some people who claimed their names had been wrongly removed from electoral rolls shared their experiences.
The opposition’s action was symbolic and did not constitute a formal constitutional impeachment or removal of the CEC.
The bloc had previously submitted motions seeking Kumar’s removal in Parliament, but the notices were rejected by the presiding officers of both Houses in April.
The programme is part of the INDIA bloc’s wider campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and the SIR exercise.
The opposition has also announced a march to Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1, under the slogan ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ (Save Votes, Save the Country).
