New Delhi, Oct 22,2026: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday declined to comment on the proposed impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the matter would be examined when it formally came before him.
Asked about the proposed motion against Kumar, Birla said, “We will see when it comes,” leaving open the question of how the Lok Sabha would proceed if the motion were formally submitted and taken up under the applicable parliamentary rules. The issue comes amid an ongoing confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission of India over electoral processes, the revision of electoral rolls and allegations concerning the poll body’s functioning and impartiality.
Opposition parties have raised concerns over the conduct of electoral exercises and pressed for greater accountability and electoral reforms, with demands from sections of the Opposition for action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The removal of the Chief Election Commissioner is governed by stringent constitutional safeguards. Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the CEC can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
The process requires parliamentary consideration under the prescribed procedure and the requisite special majority in both Houses. Any proposed motion would therefore have to clear the applicable procedural requirements before the question of removal could be taken up. Birla’s remarks did not indicate whether the proposed motion had been formally submitted or what decision he might take on its admissibility. His response suggested that he would address the matter at the appropriate stage rather than comment on its merits in advance.
