Desk Correspondent , New Delhi — On April 24, 2026, a coalition of opposition parties launched a renewed effort to remove India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, by submitting a fresh notice of motion in the Rajya Sabha. Signed by 73 Members of Parliament, the notice seeks the CEC's removal on grounds of "proven misbehaviour," specifically citing nine detailed charges of acts and omissions committed on or after March 15, 2026. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who announced the development, described Kumar’s continued presence in office as an "assault on the Constitution" and a "disgrace," alleging that the official has been acting at the behest of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister rather than as an independent arbiter.

This latest legislative move follows the rejection of a previous impeachment notice earlier this month by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan. The opposition's grievances center on allegations of "partial conduct" and favoritism toward the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in politically sensitive states like West Bengal and Bihar. The timing is notably critical, as the notice arrives immediately following the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, where administrative decisions by the Election Commission became a major flashpoint for political conflict. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O'Brien emphasized that this second attempt includes additional charges to address these recent developments and alleged conspiracies.

Constitutional procedures for removing a CEC are stringent, mirroring the process used for Supreme Court judges under Article 324(5) and Article 124(4) of the Constitution. To be successful, the motion requires a special majority in both Houses of Parliament—specifically, a majority of the total membership and two-thirds of those present and voting. If the notice is admitted, a formal inquiry committee comprising senior judicial members will be established to investigate the claims, allowing the CEC to present a legal defense. While the high bar for impeachment makes removal difficult, the persistent push by 19 political parties highlights the deepening rift and lack of trust between the national opposition and the country’s top electoral body.