On the impeachment motion, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain said, “If there is a need, we will use all the weapons of democracy under the rules. We have not had any discussions (about impeachment) as of now, but if needed, we can do anything.”
A CEC can be removed only through an impeachment. Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the CEC can only be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge, requiring a motion of impeachment by Parliament.
The Opposition just has four days in hand to move the impeachment motion as the Monsoon Session of Parliament will conclude on August 21.
In his first press conference after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi levelled allegations of “vote chori” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and several opposition leaders flagged issues about SIR in Bihar, CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday asked the Congress MP to either apologise or back his claims with a signed affidavit as required under electoral rules.
Gandhi, however, hit back, alleging selective targeting. “The Election Commission asks for an affidavit from me. But when Anurag Thakur (BJP MP) says the same thing that I am saying, it does not ask for an affidavit from him,” he said.
Impeachment motion
As per the procedure, the motion requires at least 100 signatures in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha for introduction. A two-third majority in the respective House is needed for it to pass the motion.
The signed motion is submitted to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, depending on where it was initiated.
