Parliament: 193 Opposition MPs Unite Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Submit Notice In Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Opposition MPs have submitted a notice in Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. According to reports, 193 opposition MPs have submitted separate notices in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha—comprising 130 members from the Lok Sabha and 63 from the Rajya Sabha. This marks the first instance in Indian parliamentary history where such a removal proceeding has been initiated against a Chief Election Commissioner. This move has been spearheaded primarily by the Trinamool Congress, with support from all constituent parties of the INDIA alliance, the AAP, and several independent MPs.

What are the allegations of the Opposition?

In their notice, the Opposition has leveled seven major allegations against the CEC. These include partisan conduct, deliberate obstruction of investigations into electoral irregularities, mass disenfranchisement of voters, and compromising the independence of the Election Commission. Specifically, it is alleged that the names of millions of valid voters were removed during the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) in West Bengal—a move the Opposition characterizes as a conspiracy designed to benefit the BJP.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had strongly criticized this exercise, asserting that it was an attempt to target opposition voters. Similar controversies regarding the SIR also arose in Bihar and other states, where the Opposition alleged that the process was part of a larger scheme of electoral manipulation. These allegations have been mounting over the past few months, particularly in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Was Election Commission's impartiality questioned?

This controversy has become a source of tension within Parliament. Opposition parties have alleged that the Election Commission's functioning is no longer impartial and that it is acting in favor of the ruling party. The notice cites Article 324(5) of the Constitution, which outlines the procedure for removing a Chief Election Commissioner—a process analogous to that of removing a Supreme Court judge. While a two-thirds majority in both Houses is required for impeachment—a threshold the Opposition currently lacks—this move is intended as an attempt to exert political pressure and elevate the issue to the national stage. Neither the government nor the Election Commission has issued an official response so far, although Gyanesh Kumar had previously described the SIR as a mechanism for enrolling eligible voters and removing ineligible ones.

This development raises questions regarding democratic institutions and could impact the Election Commission's credibility in the upcoming elections. The opposition is framing this as a battle to safeguard the independence of the electoral process, while the ruling party may dismiss it as a political stunt. Discussions on this notice in Parliament, along with subsequent actions, are likely to heighten political tensions. Overall, this controversy is set to spark a debate on electoral reforms and institutional impartiality.