'Gen Z, Gen Alpha look to us with hope': INDIA bloc questions 'faulty' voting system as it conducts symbolic impeachment against CEC

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress leader Meira Kumar presided over a symbolic public impeachment programme organised by the INDIA bloc against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday, as the opposition made its case against what it has alleged theft of votes amid ongoing protests over the revision of electoral rolls in India.

Meira Kumar said the opposition bloc had decided to convene a meeting to move a motion seeking the removal of the CEC. The motion will be moved in the Rajya Sabha by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who will subsequently make a statement, she said.

Also Read: INDIA bloc says everyone united in protests, 'public impeachment' of CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday


"Ours is the largest democracy in the world. Nations across the globe, in Asia, Africa, and South America, look up to us and follow our model of democracy. Our democracy is driven by the power of elections, and at the heart of this electoral power lies the soul of the voter. The voter is the focal point of the entire electoral process. If even a single voter is denied the right to cast their vote, it strikes a blow to the very soul of our democracy. Preventing someone from voting inflicts harm upon our democracy," Meira Kumar said.

Kharge said the opposition's move was aimed at protecting the credibility of the Election Commission and ensuring that it functions independently.

Kharge also listed six charges against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of conspiring to influence elections and deleting 13.2 crore voters from electoral rolls. The opposition's charges further included rewriting Form 6 without parliamentary approval, taking control of electoral rolls through the ECINET platform and shutting out the other two Election Commissioners.

The INDIA bloc also accused Gyanesh Kumar of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These allegations formed the basis of the opposition's campaign seeking his removal, with Kharge maintaining that the exercise was aimed at protecting the Election Commission's independence and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.

The opposition has particularly questioned the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that it has been used to delete voters opposed to the BJP. Kharge said the exercise was first undertaken in Bihar before being extended to other states.

Also Read: INDIA bloc's 'public impeachment' of CEC postponed

"C​​EC Gyanesh Kumar is running the Commission under the direct instructions of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Seven months ago, 193 opposition MPs moved a motion in both Houses of Parliament to remove the CEC. However, our notices were rejected, and no cognisance was taken of them. Therefore, the motion we have brought forward today is aimed at safeguarding the dignity of a constitutional institution. We hold no personal grudge against the CEC. Our intention is for the Election Commission to function impartially, in line with the spirit of the Constitution, so that the common man’s trust in it remains intact. We must ensure that the voting rights of vulnerable sections, women, and the youth are not surreptitiously deleted from a computer by someone sitting in Delhi..." Kharge said.

The INDIA bloc held the symbolic programme at Kharge's residence at 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi. The opposition parties had earlier submitted notices seeking the CEC's removal, but these were not accepted.