Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on April 6, 2026, rejected notices submitted by Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The decision marks the first-ever attempt in India’s parliamentary history to impeach a sitting CEC, which was halted at the admission stage.
The impeachment motion was moved by members of the Opposition INDIA bloc, with 63 Rajya Sabha MPs and 130 Lok Sabha MPs signing the notice. The grounds cited included alleged partisan conduct, discriminatory actions, and mass disenfranchisement linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Both presiding officers, however, refused to admit the motion after careful assessment.
Officials clarified that the rejection was made under provisions of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, which governs removal procedures for certain constitutional authorities. By dismissing the notice, the presiding officers effectively shielded the CEC from removal proceedings, reinforcing institutional stability.
The move has sparked sharp political debate. Opposition parties accused the government of undermining electoral credibility, while ruling party leaders framed the rejection as a safeguard against frivolous motions. The incident underscores heightened political tensions ahead of national elections and sets a historic precedent in parliamentary procedure.
