The Rajya Sabha Chairman on Monday rejected an impeachment motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, dealing a setback to the Opposition’s attempt to unseat the top poll official over allegations of bias and misconduct.
The motion, submitted on March 12 and backed by 63 Rajya Sabha MPs, invoked provisions under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, read with Article 124(4), the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. After examining the notice and accompanying material, the Chairman declined to admit the motion, effectively halting the process at the preliminary stage.
The notice had listed seven charges against Kumar, including allegations of “partial and discriminatory conduct in office”, “proven misbehaviour”, and “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”. The Opposition also accused the CEC of acting in a partisan manner favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising concerns over the neutrality of the Election Commission.
Also read: CEC acted under ‘executive’s thumb’, says Opposition notice
A key issue cited in the motion was the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, particularly in Bihar, which Opposition parties claimed had led to the disenfranchisement of voters. They alleged that the exercise was conducted in a manner that undermined electoral integrity and disproportionately affected certain sections.
In a rare move, Opposition parties had submitted notices in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha seeking Kumar’s removal, reflecting heightened political tensions amid ongoing electoral processes in several states. The removal of a Chief Election Commissioner follows a stringent procedure similar to that for a Supreme Court judge, requiring substantial evidence and broad parliamentary support.
While the Chairman did not elaborate publicly on the reasons for rejecting the motion, the decision indicates that the notice did not meet the threshold necessary to initiate formal proceedings. The ruling party has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the Election Commission is functioning independently and in accordance with established norms.
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