In a first-of-its-kind political move, the opposition INDIA bloc is preparing to introduce an impeachment motion in Parliament against Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, sources said on Wednesday.
According to sources, the opposition alliance is likely to bring the motion on Thursday and is considering introducing it in both Houses of Parliament — the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
However, a final decision on whether the motion will be introduced in one House or both is expected later in the evening.
Opposition Begins Collecting Signatures
Opposition Members of Parliament have started gathering signatures to formally submit the impeachment notice.
Under parliamentary rules, the motion must be supported by a minimum number of MPs before it can be admitted.
- At least 100 MPs from the Lok Sabha, or
- 50 MPs from the Rajya Sabha
must sign the notice for the motion to be considered.
Once the required signatures are secured, the notice will be formally submitted to the respective House.
What Is the Legal Process to Remove the CEC?
The procedure for removing the Chief Election Commissioner is one of the toughest constitutional processes in India.
According to the law governing the Election Commission of India, the removal process is similar to that of removing a judge of the Supreme Court of India or a High Court.
The Chief Election Commissioner can only be removed on the grounds of:
- Proven misbehaviour, or
- Incapacity
What Majority Is Required in Parliament?
For the impeachment motion to succeed, it must pass with a special majority in Parliament.
This means the motion must receive:
- A majority of the total membership of the House, and
- Two-thirds of the members present and voting
If passed, the motion would lead to the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner from office.
Law Governing Election Commissioners
As per the law governing the appointment of election officials, the Chief Election Commissioner enjoys strong protection to ensure the independence of the electoral body.
The law states that 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.”
It also specifies that other Election Commissioners can only be removed on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Political Significance of the Move
If introduced, the motion would mark an unprecedented political development, as impeachment proceedings against a sitting Chief Election Commissioner have rarely been attempted in India’s parliamentary history.
The move could trigger a major debate in Parliament over the functioning and independence of the country’s election watchdog.
