File photo of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. | Photo credit: ANI
The notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar cites concerns ranging from the selection process for the post to his public confrontation with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and reports of widespread voter wiping in two constituencies in Karnataka, he said on Monday (12
The opposition is yet to release the contents of the 10-page notice against Mr Kumar. The notice, signed by 193 opposition MPs – 130 in the Lok Sabha and 63 in the Rajya Sabha – made seven allegations against the Election Commission chief, including “partisan and discriminatory behaviour”, “obstructing the investigation into electoral fraud” and “mass disenfranchisement”. The opposition claims that the Special Intensive Review (SIR) exercise was used to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The announcements made on Friday (March 13, 2026) follow months of opposition protests against the SIR electoral rolls. Alleging repeated “manipulation” of electoral rolls, MPs have accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of ignoring complaints of disenfranchisement. The removal of a CEC follows the same strict process as a Supreme Court or High Court judge and can only be initiated on the basis of “proven misconduct or incapacity”.
According to a senior opposition leader, the announcements draw heavily on Mr Gandhi’s dissenting note of February 2025, which was tabled when Mr Kumar was selected as CEC by a three-member committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Gandhi called the government’s overnight decision to appoint the CEC “disrespectful and discourteous”, pointing out that the committee’s composition and process had been challenged in the Supreme Court. The main point of contention was the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, which now consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister to be appointed by the Prime Minister, thereby ensuring a majority for the government.
The notices also cite Mr Kumar’s public ultimatum to Mr Gandhi at a press conference in August 2025, where the CEC demanded he either apologize or submit a signed affidavit in support of his “vote-stealing” allegations. Opposition parties say such remarks were partisan and threatened the neutrality of the office.
They further flagged the alleged manipulation of voter list in two Karnataka Assembly seats, Aland and Mahadevapur.
If both Houses agree to the proposal, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Speaker of the Rajya Sabha will set up a three-member inquiry committee. It will consist of the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge, the Chief Justice and an eminent lawyer. The proceedings will follow court-like protocols, with witnesses being heard and the CEC having the right to present its defence. Once the committee submits its report, Parliament will debate and vote on the motion, with Mr. Kumar having the right to defend himself during the debate.
Published – 16 March 2026 21:09 IST
