India Bloc’s Impeachment Move on Chief Election Commissioner: Why Removing Him Is Almost Impossible

National News: The controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India (ECI) has deepened as the INDIA bloc mulls an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition has accused the Commission of bias and irregularities, particularly after the revision of voter lists in Bihar triggered allegations of manipulation in favor of the ruling alliance.

Impeachment: A Constitutionally Rigid Path

The Chief Election Commissioner occupies a position protected by constitutional safeguards to ensure independence from political influence. Removing a CEC is no ordinary procedure—it requires a process similar to the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge.

Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the CEC can only be removed if both Houses of Parliament pass a motion with a special majority. This demands the support of two-thirds of members present and voting, along with a majority of the total membership of each House. In practice, this translates to around 364 votes in the 543-member Lok Sabha and at least 160 votes in the 240-member Rajya Sabha.

The grounds are also narrowly defined, limited only to “proven misbehavior or incapacity.” The CEC enjoys a tenure of six years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first. Unlike the CEC, other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC’s recommendation, a safeguard meant to preserve institutional autonomy.

Bihar Sparks Political Storm

The latest uproar comes in the backdrop of the voter list revision in Bihar, which opposition leaders claim was conducted unfairly and favored the BJP-led NDA. The INDIA bloc has alleged large-scale irregularities and voter fraud, arguing that the Commission failed in its constitutional responsibility to act impartially. By floating the idea of impeachment, opposition parties are seeking to intensify political pressure while also signaling that they view the issue as an attack on the democratic framework itself.

Does the INDIA Bloc Have the Numbers?

While the opposition’s rhetoric is sharp, the arithmetic is stacked against it. The INDIA bloc does not command the required two-thirds majority in either House of Parliament. The NDA continues to hold a comfortable lead, making the passage of any impeachment resolution virtually impossible.

Analysts suggest that the opposition is aware of this limitation, but the proposal serves as a political strategy to highlight distrust in the Commission and rally public opinion ahead of upcoming elections.

A Symbolic Battle Ahead

Even if the motion cannot succeed, the move underscores growing friction between constitutional bodies and political actors. For the INDIA bloc, the impeachment talk is less about immediate removal and more about keeping the spotlight on questions of transparency, neutrality, and democratic integrity.