Oppn parties move fresh notice for removal of CEC

Opposition parties on Friday submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking to move a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, sources said.
The opposition’s fresh charges on Kumar’s “proved misbehaviour” include “continued partisan asymmetry in the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct”, including the poll panel’s failure to act on complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “address to the nation” on April 18.
According to sources, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC leader Sagarika Ghose submitted the notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General.
“In the Rajya Sabha, 73 opposition MPs have just submitted a new notice of motion to their Secretary General to present an addressed resolution to the President of India, urging the removal from office of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar,” Ramesh said on X.
“This demand is based on proven misconduct arising from his actions and errors committed on March 15, 2026 and thereafter, which falls under Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India when read with Article 124(4), as well as Section 11(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968,” he said.
The Congress leader said there are now nine specific charges against the CEC, which have been recorded in “extreme detail” and which cannot be “denied or suppressed”.
“His continued hold on the position is an assault on the Constitution. It is utterly shameful that this individual remains in office, so that he can continue to act on the directions of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” Ramesh said.
The notice calls for an address to the President for Kumar’s removal, invoking provisions of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
The MPs have cited a series of alleged actions and omissions by the CEC, which they claim cumulatively amount to misconduct of a “grave character”. These include alleged partisan enforcement of the model code of conduct, public remarks and social media communication targeting a political party, administrative lapses, and conduct deemed “unbecoming” of a constitutional authority.
Among the key allegations are claims of inaction over complaints related to a televised address by the prime minister on April 18, as the Model Code of Conduct was in force ahead of elections in some states.
Referring to complaints by political parties and concerned citizens, it said, “As on the date of this notice, Gyanesh Kumar has issued no show-cause notice, no advisory, and no public response to any of the said complaints.”
It said this is in “stark contrast” to the “alacrity of action in respect of analogous complaints filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party against opposition leaders”.