The INDIA bloc on Monday decided to submit a notice to impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the Opposition intensifying its protest against Special Intensive Revision and alleged vote theft, according to reports.
The decision was reportedly taken at a meeting of INDIA floor leaders chaired by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
On being asked if the Opposition parties are going to bring an impeachment motion, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain told ANI, "If there is a need, we will use all the weapons of democracy under the rules. We have not had any discussions (about impeachment) as of now, but if needed, we can do anything..."
Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the CEC can only be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge, requiring a motion of impeachment by Parliament.
The move comes after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana, accusing the Commission of manipulating voter data to favour the ruling BJP. On August 7, he claimed that 1,00,250 “stolen” votes in Mahadevapura assembly segment of Bangalore Central enabled the BJP’s Lok Sabha victory, accusing the ECI of “colluding” with the ruling party.
However, on Sunday, the CEC dismissed Gandhi’s claims as “baseless” and “an insult to the Constitution".
Kumar also said Gandhi must either file an affidavit substantiating his allegations against the Election Commission or apologise before the country. “An affidavit will have to be given or an apology should be made to the country. Teesra koi vikalp nahi (There is no third option). If the affidavit is not received within seven days, it means that all these allegations are baseless,” Kumar said at a press conference.
The CEC refuted the allegations of an increase in voters in Maharashtra. Kumar asked why there were no objections submitted during the preparation of the voter list. He said said that till date, the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra has not received the name of a single voter with proof.
"Allegations were made that the voter list in Maharashtra had increased. When there was a draft list, why were the claims and objections not submitted on time? When the results came, then it was said that this was wrong. To date, the Chief Election Officer of Maharashtra has not received the name of a single voter with proof. It has been eight months since the elections were held," Kumar said.
Kumar also assured that the officials of the Election Commission of India are working towards making Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar a "huge success".
He mentioned that the doors of the Election Commission are always open to everyone and the poll body is working together with everyone in a "transparent" manner.
This comes amid heavy criticism of the ECI by the opposition parties over the recent SIR of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state of Bihar. "The truth is that step by step all the stakeholders are committed, trying and working hard to make the SIR of Bihar a complete success. When more than seven crore voters of Bihar are standing with the Election Commission, then neither can any question mark be raised on the credibility of the Election Commission nor on the credibility of the voters," CEC Gyanesh Kumar said.
(With ANI inputs)
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