New Delhi: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing political storm surrounding the Election Commission of India (ECI), Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is facing severe backlash as opposition parties, spearheaded by the Congress, prepare to move an impeachment motion against him. The move follows explosive revelations regarding the controversial Systematic Voter Information Routine (SIR).
According to highly placed sources, a united opposition bloc is actively drafting a formal notice for the impeachment motion, which is expected to be submitted in both Houses of Parliament shortly. Sources confirmed that the submission of such a notice does not require an ongoing parliamentary session.
A Congress insider revealed that legal experts are currently finalizing the draft proposal. Once completed, a joint notice representing multiple opposition factions will be formally submitted. Earlier today, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi signalled the opposition’s aggressive stance, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “The enemies of the Constitution have been exposed. Justice will be served,” alongside the hashtag #VoteChori.
The controversy stems from a recent investigative report by The Indian Express, which exposed deep internal rifts within the three-member Election Commission regarding the SIR process. The report claimed that over a 10-month period, the SIR procedures were formally questioned on record at least 14 times by the other two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The revelations have provided immediate ammunition to the opposition, which has long raised concerns about potential electoral manipulation and the overarching role of the Election Commission under the current administration. The fact that the disputed SIR process was actively utilised during recent elections in several states has only intensified demands for accountability.
With the opposition firmly uniting on the issue, the pressure on the Election Commission—and specifically CEC Gyanesh Kumar—is expected to mount in the coming days as the impeachment motion progresses.