In a significant development, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla on Monday refused to admit a motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, according to an official release from the Lok Sabha Legislative Branch.
The motion, dated March 12, 2026, was signed by 130 Members of Parliament (MPs) and invoked constitutional and statutory provisions, including Article 324(5) and Article 124(4) of the Constitution, along with Section 11(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. It sought Kumar’s removal from his position as the head of India’s election body.
After reviewing the submission, the Speaker declined to admit the motion, exercising powers under Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. “The decision follows due consideration of the notice of motion and a careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved,” the official communication stated.
The notice marked a rare and serious attempt by a large group of lawmakers to initiate removal proceedings against a sitting CEC. However, the Speaker’s decision effectively halts the process at the preliminary stage, as such motions must be admitted before any inquiry committee can be set up under the established legal framework.
Parliamentary affairs experts say the threshold for admitting such motions is intentionally stringent. “The Speaker’s role at this stage is crucial in filtering motions to ensure they are not frivolous and meet the stringent constitutional requirements,” a senior legislative analyst said, noting that the rejection does not amount to a determination on the merits of the allegations.
The development also highlights the procedural safeguards embedded in India’s constitutional system for the removal of high constitutional authorities. Much like the process for Supreme Court judges, removing a Chief Election Commissioner involves a rigorous, multi-step mechanism designed to safeguard institutional independence.
The Election Commission of India, tasked with ensuring free and fair elections, has frequently been under political scrutiny. However, attempts to remove a sitting Chief Election Commissioner remain extremely rare, making the Speaker’s decision a noteworthy moment in parliamentary proceedings.