{"id":126131,"date":"2026-09-25T10:42:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=126131"},"modified":"2026-09-25T11:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:33:16","slug":"chief-election-commissioner-removal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chief-election-commissioner-removal\/","title":{"rendered":"Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Removal Process"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Chief Election Commissioner Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Opposition will soon move a motion in both Houses of Parliament to remove Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This follows an Indian Express investigation revealing internal criticisms raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi against the ECI&#8217;s decisions and processes over recent months.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Structure of the Election Commission<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ECI has three Election Commissioners, including the CEC.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CEC is &#8220;first among equals&#8221; \u2014 not necessarily the seniormost member.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decisions are to be taken unanimously by all three, as far as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This structural detail matters because internal dissent from two Commissioners against the CEC&#8217;s decisions is itself unusual and significant.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Election Commissioners Are Appointed<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ECI is entrusted with conducting free and fair elections in India. Appointment is governed by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-324-of-the-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Article 324<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chief-election-commissioner-and-other-election-commissioners-act-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>CEC and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The President appoints the CEC and Election Commissioners on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee: the Prime Minister, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/role-of-a-lok-sabhas-leader-of-opposition\/\" target=\"_blank\">Leader of Opposition<\/a><\/strong> (LoP), and one Union <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/cabinet-ministers-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Cabinet Minister<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appointees must have previously held secretary-level positions in government and be &#8220;persons of integrity&#8221; with knowledge and experience in election management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenure: Six years, or until age 65, whichever comes first.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CEC enjoys the same service conditions and monetary benefits as a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/supreme-court-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Supreme Court<\/a><\/strong> judge.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How a CEC Can Be Removed<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The removal bar is deliberately set very high, to shield the ECI from political pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Constitutional Basis &#8211; Article 324(5)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> states the CEC can be removed only <\/span><b>&#8220;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court<\/span><b>.&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is echoed in <\/span><b>Section 11(2)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the 2023 Act.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notably, any <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Election Commissioner can be removed only on the <\/span><b>CEC&#8217;s own recommendation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 a different, lower threshold.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Grounds For Removal &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borrowing from <\/span><b>Article 124(4)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (the process for removing a Supreme Court judge), removal requires <\/span><b>&#8220;proved misbehaviour or incapacity.&#8221;<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misbehaviou<\/span><b>r<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can include corrupt practices or abuse of office.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Courts have interpreted this to also cover actions incompatible with the CEC&#8217;s office, or failure to discharge official duties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incapacity refers to an inability to perform duties.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Also Read:- <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/election-commission-sir-row-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\">Election Commission SIR Row<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Step-by-Step Removal Process<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Notice of Motion &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Members of Parliament must bring a notice of motion explicitly alleging misbehaviour or incapacity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Admission Threshold &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The motion needs signatures from at least 100 MPs in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/lok-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lok Sabha<\/a><\/strong> or 50 MPs in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/rajya-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rajya Sabha<\/a><\/strong> to be admitted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Presiding Officer&#8217;s Discretion &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Speaker\/Chairman can consult people and materials before deciding whether to admit or reject the motion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inquiry &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If admitted, a committee is formed to investigate the evidence of misbehaviour or incapacity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Parliamentary Vote &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The motion must be passed by a two-thirds majority &#8220;present and voting&#8221; in both Houses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Presidential Order &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once passed, the President orders the removal. At this final stage, the President has <\/span><b>no discretion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 the President acts strictly on Parliament&#8217;s advice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Has a CEC Ever Been Removed?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. No Chief Election Commissioner has ever been impeached in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent attempt failed at the first hurdle. In March 2026, the Opposition in submitting impeachment motions in both Houses \u2014 130 MPs signed in the Lok Sabha, 63 in the Rajya Sabha.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These motions cited the ECI&#8217;s ongoing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/special-intensive-revision-of-electoral-rolls\/\" target=\"_blank\">Special Intensive Revision<\/a><\/strong> (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging &#8220;partisan and discriminatory conduct&#8221; by the CEC and &#8220;obstruction of investigation into electoral fraud and SIR.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In April 2026, both the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chairman-of-rajya-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rajya Sabha Chairman<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/speaker-of-lok-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lok Sabha Speaker<\/a><\/strong> rejected these impeachment motions, without assigning any reason \u2014 a decision the Opposition criticised.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What&#8217;s New Now<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fresh push follows the Indian Express investigation&#8217;s revelation that the two other Election Commissioners themselves raised internal concerns about SIR-related processes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This development gives the Opposition&#8217;s renewed demand for removal additional weight, since the criticism now comes from within the Commission itself, not only from political rivals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The removal bar for a CEC is constitutionally identical to that for a Supreme Court judge \u2014 by design, nearly impossible to clear. That very difficulty is meant to protect the ECI&#8217;s independence from political vendettas.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But when internal dissent from sitting Commissioners joins the Opposition&#8217;s criticism, the question shifts from procedure to substance: is this safeguard protecting independence, or shielding unaccountability?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-law\/chief-election-commissioner-gyanesh-kumar-impeachment-10892352\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">IE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chief Election Commissioner removal requires a high constitutional threshold, including proved misbehaviour or incapacity, parliamentary approval and a presidential order.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":126141,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[6694,60,22,59],"class_list":["post-126131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","tag-chief-election-commissioner","tag-mains-articles","tag-upsc-current-affairs","tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126131"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":126155,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126131\/revisions\/126155"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}