Opposition MPs to move notice seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

In an unprecedented move, MPs have collected signatures for a notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Sources said the notice is expected to be submitted in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday or Friday.

Around 120 MPs have signed the notice for the Lok Sabha and around 60 for the Rajya Sabha. Parliamentary rules require at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha to endorse such a notice. Members from all major opposition parties have signed, marking the first-ever attempt to seek the removal of a sitting CEC.

Opposition parties have accused the CEC of favoring the ruling BJP, particularly during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise . Concerns have been raised over voter deletions in West Bengal, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that the process is being manipulated to benefit the ruling party.

The procedure for removing the CEC is similar to impeaching a Supreme Court or high court judge and can only be initiated on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity . A motion may be introduced in either House and must be passed by a special majority a majority of the total membership and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

Under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution , the CEC “ shall not be removed from office except in the like manner and on the like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court ,” while other election commissioners can only be removed on the recommendation of the CEC. The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 , specifies that if notices are given in both Houses on the same day, a joint parliamentary committee will be constituted only after the motion is admitted in both Houses.

This historic move has put the electoral process under intense parliamentary scrutiny, with both Houses set to deliberate on the notice in the coming days.