NEW DELHI: The INDIA bloc on Friday postponed its proposed ‘public impeachment’ programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to Saturday due to rain. The event was scheduled to be held at 10, Rajaji Marg, the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi.

The opposition alliance had planned the programme as a public demonstration of its demand for Kumar’s removal, accusing the Election Commission of failing to address concerns raised by opposition parties over alleged ‘vote chori’.

The proceedings were intended to bring together leaders and representatives of various INDIA bloc parties to present their allegations against the CEC and reiterate their demand for action.

Announcing the postponement, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the decision was taken unanimously, keeping in mind the inconvenience that rain could cause to senior political leaders attending the event.

“By consensus, we have decided to postpone today’s program (public impeachment programme against CEC) to tomorrow at the same time because of rain. We felt that it would be uncomfortable for seniors to sit in the rain, and we will hold the exact same program tomorrow,” Gandhi told reporters.

The programme will now take place on Saturday at the same venue and time.

Meira Kumar to preside over proceedings

According to sources, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to preside over the proposed proceedings against Gyanesh Kumar.

The leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha is expected to move a motion, following which representatives of different opposition parties will deliver speeches outlining their concerns and allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The format is intended to resemble parliamentary proceedings, although the event itself is a political programme organised by opposition parties and does not constitute a formal impeachment process.

The INDIA bloc has sought to use the gathering to demonstrate its collective opposition to Kumar and present its case publicly.

Opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission

The proposed programme comes amid continuing disagreements between opposition parties and the Election Commission over electoral processes.

The INDIA bloc has repeatedly raised concerns about alleged irregularities in voter lists and the conduct of elections, using the term ‘vote chori’ to describe what it claims are attempts to undermine electoral fairness.

Opposition leaders have accused the Election Commission of not adequately addressing their complaints and have questioned the functioning of the institution under Kumar’s leadership.

The demand for the CEC’s removal is part of the opposition’s wider campaign seeking greater accountability from the constitutional body.

However, the allegations remain political claims and would require examination through appropriate legal and constitutional mechanisms.

What does the CEC removal process involve?

The Chief Election Commissioner holds a constitutionally protected position, and the procedure for removal is different from an ordinary political motion.

Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. This means removal requires a parliamentary process involving allegations of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

A removal motion must be admitted by the presiding officer of the relevant House and subsequently undergo the prescribed parliamentary procedure. It requires support from a special majority in both Houses of Parliament.

Therefore, the INDIA bloc’s proposed ‘public impeachment’ programme is symbolic and political in nature. It does not itself initiate or complete the constitutional process for removing the Chief Election Commissioner.

Saturday programme to bring opposition parties together

The postponement has shifted the opposition’s planned gathering by a day, but the INDIA bloc has indicated that the programme will proceed in the same format.

With Meira Kumar expected to preside over the proceedings and opposition representatives scheduled to speak, the event is intended to provide a common platform for the alliance to present its objections.

The gathering is also expected to underline the opposition’s demand for accountability from the Election Commission and its insistence that complaints relating to electoral processes be addressed.

The decision to postpone the event was attributed to the weather conditions rather than any change in the opposition’s position.

The programme on Saturday will therefore serve as another public demonstration of the INDIA bloc’s campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.