Another impeachment notice on the cards for Gyanesh Kumar as EC's integrity questioned
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After The Indian Express published startling revelations that the Chief Election Commissioner had ignored suggestions from his fellow commissioners and kept them in the dark regarding key decision-making, the parliamentary Opposition is likely to move a fresh impeachment notice against CEC Gyanesh Kumar for the third time, following the rejection of its earlier motions in both Houses.
The proposed notice, expected to be submitted within the next 10 to 15 days, comes against the backdrop of an escalating confrontation, with an earlier April notice bearing 73 signatures still pending in the Upper House, while twin notices submitted in March, accusing Kumar of “misbehaviour”, were rejected by the respective presiding officers, The Wire reported.
The latest move comes amid mounting scrutiny of the Election Commission, following a series of reports by The Indian Express which have highlighted alleged differences and a lack of communication at the highest levels of the poll panel.
The reports said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had either raised objections or complained that they were not adequately informed about several matters, including decisions connected with the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission has not explicitly denied the newspaper’s reports, while Opposition leaders have intensified their criticism of Kumar and called for his resignation.
In its subsequent Rajya Sabha notice, signed by 73 MPs, the Opposition cited nine grounds for seeking Kumar’s removal, alleging, among other things, “partisan asymmetry” in the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, public criticism of the Trinamool Congress, and the alleged mass disenfranchisement of voters during the Bengal SIR.
The Opposition has also described the nationwide SIR as defective, accused the Commission of failing to act on complaints raised by the TMC, and alleged that the poll body exceeded its authority while ordering the transfer of bureaucrats in Tamil Nadu.
Under the 2023 law governing the appointment and service conditions of election commissioners, the CEC can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge. Under the Judges Inquiry Act, an impeachment notice requires the signatures of at least 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs, after which the Speaker or Chairman may admit or reject it.