“Some of the actions have been proven to be inappropriate”: Oppn proposes impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar; 193 MPs sign notice

New Delhi: The opposition on Friday filed notices in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They claimed there had been “favoritism” in favor of a particular political party and cited six other “allegations”.“According to sources, the charges are also related to his handling of electoral roll revision, first in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections due in November 2025 and later in other states, some of which are poll-bound. He was also accused of “inappropriate conduct”.

The notification was spearheaded by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which governs West Bengal, where assembly elections are expected to be held in April-May. The notice was signed by members of the India Bloc party, the Congress-led national opposition, as well as MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, although the party is no longer part of the alliance.

A total of 193 MPs signed the notification, including 130 from the Lok Sabha and 63 from the House of Federation. Under the rules, at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha must sign a notice seeking the removal of the Central Election Commission, while the required number in the House of Federation is 50.Kumar joined the Election Commission (ECI) in April 2024 and became a member of the Central Election Commission in February last year. Opposition parties have repeatedly accused Kumar of “helping” the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, especially over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they claim could benefit the ruling party at the centre.Concerns have been raised specifically over the SIR exercise in West Bengal, with TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the ECI of “deleting” genuine voters.The process of deleting CECThis is the first time a notice of impeachment has been filed against the CEC.Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the procedure for removing a poll chief is similar to that for removing a Supreme Court or High Court judge, meaning impeachment can only take place where misconduct or incapacity has been proven.Such motions can be made in either House of Parliament and must be passed by a special majority – a majority of all members of the House and a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.After the motion is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, a committee will be formed by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Chairman of the House of Federation.The panel will consist of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a judge of the Supreme Court, the chief justice of one of the 25 high courts and a “distinguished jurist”.The CEC will also have the opportunity to speak before the committee.Impeachment discussions will begin once the committee submits its report.(with PTI input)