- By Shubham Bajpai
- Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, the INDIA bloc parties are most likely to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
According to a report by The Hindu, citing sources, the issue was raised during an INDIA bloc meeting chaired by Congress chief and LoP Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, by the Trinamool Congress.
TMC Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Satabdi Roy, raised the issue, saying that CM Mamata Banerjee has been sitting on a dharna for the last four days against the deletion of the names of voters in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Pitching for an impeachment motion against Kumar, Roy argued that the move was crucial. Reportedly, other Opposition leaders agreed to his suggestion.
The motion will be moved by the TMC, but the entire Opposition is working out the details. The House in which the motion will be moved is yet to be decided.
The report cited a senior Opposition leader, saying they have the requisite numbers to introduce the motion in either House.
What does the rule say?
According to the rule mentioned in Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the CEC can be removed through an impeachment motion in the parliament, akin to a judge of the Supreme Court.
To introduce an impeachment motion, it must be backed by a two‑thirds majority of members present and voting in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, at least 50 members must be signatory while in the Lok Sabha, it must be signed by at least 100 members.
The impeachment motion must also specify the grounds for seeking removal. Once it is moved, a special committee to investigate the allegations must be formed by the Chair of the respective House.
In case the committee finds the CEC guilty, a vote is held on its report. To finally impeach the CEC, both Houses must then pass the motion with a two‑thirds majority of those present and voting.
After the approval of the motion, the final order to remove the CEC is issued by the President