Parliament Presiding Officers Reject Charges Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected notices from Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The presiding officers concluded that the allegations, including a "tainted" appointment, "deep executive embeddedness," applying different standards to government/opposition, and obstructing electoral fraud investigations, lacked proof or did not meet the "high constitutional bar" for removal proceedings. The order stated that the pendency of a constitutional challenge to his appointment law did not amount to misbehaviour, and the EC's plenary powers under Article 324 were affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Key Points
- Notices for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, moved by Opposition MPs, were rejected by the presiding officers of Parliament.
- The charges, including allegations of a "tainted" appointment and bias, were deemed to lack sufficient proof or meet the constitutional bar for removal.
- The order clarified that a pending constitutional challenge to the appointment law does not equate to misbehaviour.
- The Election Commission's plenary powers under Article 324 were upheld, and its competence in electoral matters affirmed.
Exam Facts
- CEC: Gyanesh Kumar.
- Presiding Officers: Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
- Constitutional Articles for removal: Articles 324(5) and 124(4).
- Act governing selection: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
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