Om Birla to examine CEC impeachment motion, rules out more time for NCPI members

New Delhi, Oct 22 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday declined to comment on the proposed impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the matter would be examined when it formally came before him. Separately, he indicated that members of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) would not be granted any further extension after having sought additional time on four occasions.

Asked about the proposed motion against Kumar, Birla said, "We will see when it comes," leaving open the question of how the Lok Sabha would proceed if the motion were formally submitted and taken up under the applicable parliamentary rules. The issue comes amid an ongoing confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission of India over electoral processes, the revision of electoral rolls and allegations concerning the poll body's functioning and impartiality.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over the conduct of electoral exercises and pressed for greater accountability and electoral reforms, with demands from sections of the Opposition for action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The removal of the Chief Election Commissioner is governed by stringent constitutional safeguards. Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the CEC can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.

The process requires parliamentary consideration under the prescribed procedure and the requisite special majority in both Houses. Any proposed motion would therefore have to clear the applicable procedural requirements before the question of removal could be taken up. Birla's remarks did not indicate whether the proposed motion had been formally submitted or what decision he might take on its admissibility. His response suggested that he would address the matter at the appropriate stage rather than comment on its merits in advance. On the separate issue involving NCPI members, the Speaker made clear that their repeated requests for additional time would not result in another extension.

He pointed out that they had already sought more time on four occasions, signalling that no further opportunity would be granted. Although Birla did not elaborate on the subsequent procedural steps concerning the NCPI members, his statement underlined the limits on repeated requests for extensions in parliamentary proceedings.

The two issues bring into focus the Speaker's responsibilities in handling matters that may involve significant constitutional and political implications, while ensuring that the business of the Lok Sabha proceeds in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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