Fresh Motion Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Will Be Examined As Per Rules: Om Birla

News india Fresh Motion Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Will Be Examined As Per Rules: Om Birla

Last Updated:October 22, 2026, 22:40 IST

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that established procedures will be followed if the opposition brings a fresh motion to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said there would be no deviation from the prescribed procedure if the Opposition brings a fresh motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The remarks came amid a continuing political row over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with Opposition parties accusing Kumar of exercising the poll panel’s powers in an “unilateral and arbitrary" manner.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Birla said the process for dealing with a removal motion against the CEC was already clearly defined.

“We will follow the process when the motion is moved. Just as there is a procedure for the impeachment of judges, there is a process laid down for the CEC too… It will be followed if the opposition moves a motion," he said.

Opposition Seeks CEC’s Removal

Opposition parties have stepped up their campaign against Kumar and have also approached President Droupadi Murmu over the issue. They are seeking his removal and want the 2023 law providing immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners to be repealed.

The Opposition has already tried twice to initiate proceedings against Kumar. Notices filed during the first attempt were rejected by both Houses of Parliament. A second set of notices has been submitted and remains pending.

The law provides for the removal of the CEC by Parliament through a procedure similar to that followed for removing a Supreme Court judge. An Election Commissioner or the CEC can also leave office by submitting a written resignation to the President.

No Clarity On Special Parliament Session

Birla was also asked about reports that the Centre could call a special session of Parliament to take up the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill. The proposed measures are linked to plans for implementing 33% reservation for women in legislatures.

The Speaker did not say whether a special session was being planned. Instead, he pointed to the constitutional provisions governing the functioning of Parliament.

The Monsoon session was adjourned sine die on August 13, but Parliament has not yet been prorogued.

Birla said the present gap was not unprecedented and referred to Article 85 of the Constitution, which deals with the summoning and prorogation of Parliament.

“This is not the longest duration (between the adjournment and proroguing)… Article 85 of the Constitution clearly states the rules for proroguing the House," he said.

Article 85 allows the President to summon and prorogue either House, as well as dissolve the Lok Sabha, on the advice of the Council of Ministers. It also requires that the gap between two sessions should not exceed six months. However, it does not prescribe a specific period within which a House must be prorogued after being adjourned.

According to a person familiar with the matter, 15 days’ notice is required before calling a full session, while a special session requires at least three days’ notice.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had earlier pointed out that Parliament had remained unprorogued for extended periods on several occasions. He said such gaps had, in some instances, stretched to 87 days.

Speaker Examining TMC Rebel MPs’ Pleas

The Speaker also addressed the issue of petitions seeking the disqualification of rebel Trinamool Congress MPs who left the party and merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a registered but unrecognised regional party.

Birla said proceedings on the petitions were continuing and that arguments from both sides were being considered. The matter is also before the Supreme Court.

“The petitions are being heard in the (Supreme) Court and they are also being heard in my court… Both sides are being heard and the proceedings are underway. As soon as we receive their response, we will expedite the process," he said.

A TMC faction led by national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had approached Birla seeking the disqualification of the rebel MPs. The faction has argued that their decision to merge with another party amounts to “voluntarily giving up party membership".

Birla Hopes For consensus At BRICS Forum

The upcoming BRICS Parliamentary Forum was another key issue discussed by Birla. The two-day meeting is scheduled to begin on October 26, with India hosting the event.

Birla said he hoped the participating countries would agree on a joint declaration through consensus. Issues such as terrorism and climate change are expected to feature in the discussions.

“India’s position has consistently been against terrorism, and we have always condemned it at every level. I hope there will be a detailed discussion on this issue within BRICS as well. Terrorism must end in every country," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the forum and hold meetings with leaders of the participating delegations, according to Birla.

Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia have not yet confirmed their participation. So far, 18 countries have sent suggestions for issues to be discussed at the parliamentary forum, which will be considered during the meeting.

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Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ...Read More

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