Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), is tough to oust since his removal process is similar to that of removing a Supreme Court judge in Article 324(5) of the Constitution. Following the recent media reports of corruption, there have been increasing demands from opposition parties for his removal by using the rigorous parliamentary impeachment process.
After receipt, the presiding officers scrutinise the merits of the allegations to ascertain if they have any ground. After that, if approved, the process moves to the investigation committee.
Some opposition political parties attempted to start the process in March and April 2026. In case there are sufficient reasons for the committee to hold the CEC guilty of misconduct or incompetence, then it will present a report to the Parliament to be debated. If the resolution passes the two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, then it is forwarded to the President of India for his/her approval. So far, no Chief Election Commissioner of India has been successfully removed using this constitutional process.
