Opposition parties plan impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Opposition will soon move a motion in both houses of Parliament to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Congress sources told The Indian Express. "The motion is being drafted with legal experts and we'll soon submit notices in both houses on behalf of joint Opposition," said a source in Congress.

An investigation by The Indian Express reveals that questions were raised on SIR-related issues within the three-member Election Commission (EC) itself, on record, at least 14 times over the last 10 months . By two of three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, no less.

ALSO READ | ‘Illegal, unauthorised’: Election Commissioners objected to Form 6 change Responding to the Express investigation, the Election Commission of India Wednesday acknowledged these notes but described them as part of the panel’s "decision-making process". However, it did not respond to any of the concerns raised by the two Commissioners, nor did it state whether or how these concerns had been addressed.

"Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution," the Commission said in a press note signed by Deputy Director P Pawan. "They are a part of the decision-making process before a final decision is taken." The "written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks-and-balances" by its members, it said, were "standard, ongoing practices", and "the suggestions given by the Commissioners were for further improving the electoral processes."