Opposition parties in the INDIA bloc are considering moving an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in the coming days, according to sources.
The proposal was reportedly discussed during a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders chaired by Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge at his office in Parliament.
As per a report of The Hindu, sources said that Trinamool Congress (TMC) Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Satabdi Roy raised the issue during the meeting. She highlighted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been protesting since March 6 against the alleged deletion of names from electoral rolls during the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The Election Commission of India had released the final electoral rolls for West Bengal on February 28.
Opposition leaders back TMC proposal
According to those sources, Roy argued that the Opposition should take further action by moving an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner. Several leaders from other Opposition parties reportedly agreed with the suggestion during the discussion.
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While the Trinamool Congress is said to be leading the initiative, Opposition parties are currently working out the details, including deciding in which House of Parliament the motion will be introduced.
Constitutional process for removal of CEC
Article 324(5) of the Constitution states that the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed through a parliamentary impeachment process similar to that followed for a Supreme Court judge.
Under this process, the motion must be supported by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The motion can be introduced in either House.
In the Rajya Sabha, the motion must be signed by at least 50 members, while in the Lok Sabha it requires the signatures of 100 members. The motion must clearly mention the grounds for seeking the removal.
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Once introduced, the presiding officer of the House constitutes a special committee to investigate the allegations. If the committee finds the CEC guilty, its report is placed before Parliament for voting.
Both Houses must then approve the motion with a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. After the motion is passed in both Houses, the President issues the final order for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
