Opposition parties have collected signatures to move a notice in Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office” among other charges, as reported by the news agency PTI.
According to PTI sources, the notice is likely to be submitted in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha within a day or two. A senior MP familiar with the development said the process of collecting signatures has been completed and the notices are most likely to be submitted on Thursday. Another senior opposition leader indicated that the submission could take place either on Thursday or Friday in both Houses.
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Around 120 MPs have so far signed the notice intended for submission in the Lok Sabha, while nearly 60 MPs have signed the notice to be submitted in the Rajya Sabha, sources added. As per the rules, at least 100 MPs are required to sign a notice seeking the removal of the CEC in the Lok Sabha, while the minimum requirement in the Rajya Sabha is 50.
Sources said the notice lists seven charges against Gyanesh Kumar. These include allegations of “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office”, “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”, and “mass disenfranchisement”, among other accusations.
The notice has been signed by MPs belonging to parties in the INDIA bloc, sources said. Members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is no longer officially part of the alliance, have also signed the notice, another PTI source added.
If submitted, this would mark the first time that a notice has been given seeking the removal of a Chief Election Commissioner.
Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the CEC of aiding the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on several occasions. The allegations have been particularly linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which opposition leaders claim is aimed at benefiting the ruling party at the Centre.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the conduct of the exercise in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of deleting genuine voters during the process.
The procedure for removing the Chief Election Commissioner is similar to that for the removal of a Supreme Court or High Court judge. Under the law, removal can take place only on the grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
A motion for removal may be introduced in either House of Parliament and must be passed by a special majority. This means a majority of the total membership of the House and a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
According to the law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, the CEC “shall not be removed from his office except in the like manner and on the like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court”. It also states that other election commissioners cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the CEC.
Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, if notices for such a motion are given on the same day in both Houses of Parliament, no committee will be constituted unless the motion has been admitted in both Houses. Once the motion is admitted in both Houses, a committee will be jointly constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
– Ends
With PTI inputs.
Published By:
Akshat Trivedi
Published On:
Mar 12, 2026 15:43 IST
