Opposition mulls over no-confidence motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Opposition parties are considering bringing a no-confidence motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid growing political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Senior opposition leaders indicated that consultations are underway within the INDIA bloc to move the notice after the pending motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is addressed in Parliament.

According to parliamentary procedure, the notice for such a motion requires the signatures of at least 100 Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha and 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha for it to be taken up. Opposition leaders said discussions with allied parties are ongoing, and there appears to be broad support within the bloc to pursue the move against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The dispute between the Opposition and the Election Commission has intensified over the SIR process, which began in Bihar last year and has since been conducted in several regions. Opposition leaders have repeatedly alleged that the exercise is biased and could affect voter rights, accusations the Election Commission has strongly rejected.

Under the law governing the appointment and removal of election commissioners, the Chief Election Commissioner can only be removed in a manner similar to that of a Supreme Court judge. This means a motion must be introduced in either House of Parliament and passed with a special majority, including a majority of the total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting.

While the Opposition is considering the move, political observers note that such a resolution is unlikely to succeed given the current strength of the ruling coalition in both Houses of Parliament. The debate over the voter roll revision and the role of the Election Commission, however, continues to remain a major political flashpoint.