Impeachment motion to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar rejected by both Houses

The impeachment motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been rejected by both the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker after due consideration.

In Short

• Motion submitted by 130 Lok Sabha, 63 Rajya Sabha members citing seven charges
• Charges include partiality, misbehaviour, obstruction of electoral fraud probe
• Removal process requires proven misbehaviour or incapacity

An impeachment motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been rejected by both the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha Speaker after due consideration.

Members were informed that a notice of motion dated March 12, 2026, signed by 63 Members of the Rajya Sabha under Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India, read with Article 124(4), Section 11(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, had been submitted seeking Kumar’s removal.

After a careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved, the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, exercised the powers vested under Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and refused to admit the notice of motion.

Separately, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also rejected the Opposition's notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Lok Sabha Speaker exercised the powers vested in him under the provisions of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to reject the motion.

The rejection by both presiding officers effectively halts further proceedings on the impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner.

OPPOSITION LISTED SEVEN CHARGES

The notice listed seven charges against Kumar. These include allegations of “partial and discriminatory conduct in office”, “proven misbehaviour”, “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”, and “mass disenfranchisement”.

Among the key issues cited by the Opposition is the manner in which the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was handled in Bihar. The Opposition has alleged that the process led to the disenfranchisement of voters.

The notice also claims that the CEC acted in a partisan manner favouring certain political parties. Several Supreme Court judgments have also been cited in support of the allegations, sources said.

Opposition parties have accused Kumar of aiding the ruling BJP on several occasions, particularly in connection with the ongoing SIR exercise, which they allege is intended to benefit the party at the Centre.

- Ends