The INDIA bloc MPs on Friday (March 13, 2026) submitted a notice in both the Houses of Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
This is the first time such a notice has been formally submitted in Parliament. In the past, the Opposition had considered similar moves against at least two former CECs, but those efforts never progressed.
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”The 10-page notice lists seven charges against Mr. Kumar – ranging from “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office” to “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”, and “mass disenfranchisement”. Opposition parties have accused the CEC of aiding the ruling BJP on several occasions, particularly during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which they allege is being used to benefit the ruling party. They have cited examples from West Bengal, Bihar, and other States where SIR has been done.
The Trinamool Congress is considering releasing the transcript of its delegation’s meeting with the Election Commission on February 2. After that meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had told reporters that Mr. Kumar had “insulted” and “humiliated” the delegation.
Article 324(5) of the Constitution states: “Provided that the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court and the conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.”
Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, if notices for such a motion are submitted in both Houses on the same day, no inquiry committee may be constituted unless the motion is admitted in both Houses. Once admitted, a committee must be constituted jointly by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
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The rules require at least 50 MPs to sign the notice if it is moved in the Rajya Sabha and 100 if moved in the Lok Sabha. The Oppisition’s notice exceeds these requirements, with 130 signatures in the Lok Sabha and 63 in the Rajya Sabha.
According to sources, the Trinamool Congress, which spearheaded the effort, debated whether to move the notice in only one House, either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. “[But] Opposition members of both Houses want to sign the notice to register their protest against the CEC’s recent actions,” a senior leader said.
Published - March 13, 2026 01:35 pm IST
