A fresh political confrontation has emerged over the Election Commission leadership as 73 Opposition Members of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha submitted a new notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The move comes amid an ongoing election cycle in several states and Union Territories, adding further intensity to the already charged political atmosphere.

According to senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, the notice was formally submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, along with other relevant legal provisions. He stated that the motion seeks an address to the President of India for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner on grounds of alleged “proven misbehaviour” based on actions and omissions cited from March 15, 2026 onwards.

Ramesh further claimed that the Opposition has documented nine specific charges against the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging irregularities that, according to him, cannot be dismissed or ignored. He argued that the continuation of the CEC in office amounts to what he described as an “assault on the Constitution,” intensifying the Opposition’s criticism of the electoral body’s functioning.

Also Read: Gyanesh Kumar Says EC Will Ensure Transparent, Fear-Free Polls In Bengal

Under parliamentary procedure, a motion for removal of the Chief Election Commissioner requires the support of at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha or 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha for formal consideration. If admitted, a joint three-member inquiry committee may be constituted to examine the allegations and determine whether a case for impeachment exists.

If the committee finds sufficient grounds, the matter is then debated separately in both Houses of Parliament and must secure the support of at least half of the total membership for removal to proceed. However, earlier attempts to initiate such a process were rejected by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman, who declined to admit similar notices submitted previously. The Election Commission has not yet issued a formal response to the latest Opposition move.

Also Read: Chief Negotiators To Begin India-US Trade Pact Talks In Washington This Week