Left parties seek Gyanesh Kumar’s removal as CEC, suspension of SIR

The Left parties on Friday demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the process had undermined the transparency and credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

At a press conference at Balotsav Bhavan in Vijayawada, leaders of various Left parties said voters who had been unfairly excluded from the electoral rolls should have their voting rights restored. They also demanded restoration of the ECI’s independent and democratic functioning.

The leaders referred to a September 23 report in a national daily on objections reportedly raised by two of the three Election Commissioners over decisions concerning voter registration, deletion and restoration of names and conduct of SIR. The leaders of Left parties said it reflected the functioning of the poll panel under Mr. Gyanesh Kumar.