Opposition to Move Motion Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Congress consults opposition parties on a fresh removal motion amid controversy over the Election Commission’s functioning.
- Opposition plans a fresh motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- Congress is consulting other opposition parties.
- Notice likely within the next two weeks.
- ECI maintains that major decisions were unanimous.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Sept: Opposition parties are preparing to submit a fresh motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in both Houses of Parliament, with the Congress reaching out to other opposition parties to build support for the move. Congress sources said the notice is expected to be submitted within the next two weeks.
The proposed motion comes amid an intensifying political dispute over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), particularly the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to reports, the fresh notice is being drafted and is expected to be vetted by legal experts before being submitted in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Indian Express reported that the Opposition is working on a joint notice, while The New Indian Express said INDIA bloc allies are coordinating on the initiative.
The move follows reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised formal objections on multiple occasions over decisions concerning voter registration, deletion and restoration of names and aspects of the electoral-roll revision process. An investigation published by The Indian Express said the two commissioners had recorded objections at least 14 times over 10 months.
The Election Commission, however, has rejected suggestions of a split within the poll panel, maintaining that major decisions taken over the past year were unanimous.
The Opposition had previously moved a notice seeking Kumar’s removal. The New Indian Express reported that a notice submitted by 73 Opposition MPs on April 24 remains pending in the Rajya Sabha. The fresh initiative is being planned in light of the latest developments and reported internal objections within the poll panel.
The proposed parliamentary move is also taking place alongside protests announced by the Congress against the Election Commission. The party has directed its state units to organise marches to state Election Commission offices on September 25.
Under the constitutional framework, removal of the Chief Election Commissioner involves a parliamentary process. The Opposition’s proposed notice will therefore be the first step in a longer procedure rather than an immediate removal from office.
