The Rajya Sabha declined a motion from the Opposition to oust Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The motion, supported by 63 MPs, was dismissed by the Chairman after a thorough review based on legal provisions. The bulletin stated that the Chairman, after careful evaluation, refused to admit the motion under relevant laws.
The Opposition alleged Gyanesh Kumar of bias and misconduct, pointing to issues like electoral roll revisions and voter disenfranchisement. This marked the first impeachment-style motion against a Chief Election Commissioner in recent times, with 193 MPs initially backing the move. The removal of a CEC requires a special majority in both Houses of Parliament, akin to the process for a Supreme Court judge.
The decision by the Chairman effectively stops the motion in the Rajya Sabha. This development arises amidst ongoing political discussions on the Election Commission’s operations. While the Opposition is disappointed, the government is likely to see the rejection as a confirmation of the CEC’s constitutional role. Gyanesh Kumar, a former IAS officer, took office as Chief Election Commissioner earlier this year.
