What Led to the INDIA Bloc's Symbolic Impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner?

INDIA Bloc's Public Impeachment of CEC

New Delhi: On Saturday, the INDIA bloc organized a symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming that the integrity of the voting process is jeopardized as the Election Commission operates under the influence of the Modi administration.

The event, led by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, took place at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. It attracted leaders from the INDIA bloc, Members of Parliament, civil society members, and individuals who reported wrongful removals from electoral rolls, setting the stage for a rally planned for Sunday aimed at increasing pressure for CEC Kumar's dismissal.

Kharge initiated the motion, accusing CEC Kumar of treason while outlining the charges against him. He called for Kumar's removal, the annulment of the 2023 law that regulates the appointment of election commissioners, and the cessation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha asserted that Kumar is operating the Election Commission under the directives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Kharge stated, "The right to vote is currently at risk because CEC Gyanesh Kumar is executing the Election Commission's duties as per the instructions of Modi and Shah."

He mentioned that opposition MPs had submitted requests in both Houses of Parliament for the CEC's removal, but these were dismissed.

The motion presented today aims to uphold the dignity of a constitutional entity. There is no personal animosity towards the CEC; our goal is for the Election Commission to function impartially. No one should be allowed to unjustly erase votes from a distance, he emphasized.

The event's stage was designed to mimic the Lok Sabha, featuring a wooden backdrop and seating arranged in a semi-circle, similar to the parliamentary layout, with microphones set up in the first three rows.

Originally planned for Friday, the program was postponed by a day due to inclement weather in the capital.

Meira Kumar opened the proceedings by stating that the meeting was convened to publicly impeach the CEC due to the wrongful removal of eligible voters from electoral rolls.

She remarked, "When the INDIA bloc raises this issue, there is a lack of accountability. Therefore, we have decided to convene and propose the removal of Gyanesh Kumar."

Kharge began his speech by honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.

He recalled former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's decision to lower the voting age to 18, which empowered the youth to shape the nation's future. He accused the Modi government of threatening this right through its actions.

Kharge alleged that the Modi administration has resorted to various tactics to maintain power, including 'Sansad chori', 'party chori', electoral bonds, and now 'vote chori'.

He claimed that the CEC's actions were facilitated by the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which he argued shields the poll panel chief from accountability.

Kharge criticized the passage of this law, which occurred after 145 opposition MPs were suspended from Parliament, preventing their participation in the legislative process.

He described this as disgraceful, stating that those acting in the national interest were excluded while the law was enacted. This legislation grants the CEC a level of immunity that even the president and prime minister do not possess, he contended.

Kharge clarified that the opposition is not advocating for voting rights for infiltrators but is focused on safeguarding the voting rights of all Indian citizens.

He accused the BJP of protecting infiltrators while criticizing the opposition.

Kharge held the CEC accountable for the SIR process, alleging it led to the intentional removal of approximately 14 crore voters from the electoral rolls.

He also accused Kumar of unlawfully modifying Form 6 for voter registration without consulting Parliament, thereby impacting the voting rights of the youth.

He claimed that the CEC has centralized control over electoral rolls and excluded the other two Election Commissioners from decision-making.

Accusing Kumar of violating his constitutional duties and betraying public trust, Kharge stated that MPs from the INDIA bloc, representing 60% of the population, have resolved that the CEC should face treason charges in court.

He emphasized that Article 326, which guarantees universal adult suffrage, is under significant threat.

Kharge reiterated his demands for Kumar's removal, the repeal of the 2023 law, and the termination of the SIR process.

He concluded by asserting that the BJP is attempting to undermine democracy in India, but the opposition will not permit this.

This public impeachment is part of the opposition's campaign against alleged irregularities in the SIR process and their call for accountability from the Election Commission. The bloc has also organized a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday under the slogan 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao.'