193 MPs sign notice seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

In an unprecedented development, Opposition MPs have initiated steps to seek the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, with a notice likely to be submitted in Parliament on Friday.

According to sources, 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha MPs have signed the notice. It remains unclear whether it will be tabled in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. An Opposition leader said lawmakers showed enthusiasm in backing the move, with several signing even after the required numbers were met.

Parliamentary rules require 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha or 50 in the Rajya Sabha to sign a notice seeking the CEC’s removal. Sources said members from the INDIA bloc have signed the notice, along with MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, which is no longer officially part of the alliance.

The notice reportedly lists seven charges , including partisan and discriminatory conduct, obstruction of investigations into electoral fraud, and mass disenfranchisement of voters. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, especially during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Concerns have been raised about the process in West Bengal, with Mamata Banerjee alleging deletion of genuine voters.

Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India, the CEC can only be removed like a Supreme Court judge , requiring a special majority in Parliament on proven grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity . The procedure is guided by the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, with a joint parliamentary committee formed after admission of the motion.

Notably, no CEC has ever been removed since 1950 , making this the first historic attempt if it proceeds. There has been no official response from Gyanesh Kumar , though he recently reaffirmed that the Commission is committed to free and fair elections and no eligible voter would be removed from rolls .