Om Birla on CEC impeachment motion: 'Due parliamentary process will be followed'
Synopsis
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has told reporters that the Opposition's fresh bid to impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will be handled through established parliamentary procedure — neither blocking nor fast-tracking it. If tabled, it would be the third such attempt, reflecting the deepening stand-off over the Election Commission's conduct on electoral roll revision.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed on 22 October 2026 that a fresh impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar will follow 'due parliamentary procedure' if tabled.
If tabled, this would be the third attempt by Opposition parties to initiate an impeachment motion against the CEC.
Opposition pressure escalated after a media report alleged internal ECI differences over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
BJP leaders have maintained that any such motion would be defeated on the floor of the House.
Birla also announced the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan , New Delhi , on 26–27 October , with PM Modi set to attend and meet delegates from 21 countries .
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday, 22 October 2026, stated that any fresh impeachment motion brought by the Opposition against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar would be handled strictly through 'due parliamentary procedure', while affirming that every citizen holds the right to express their views in a democracy.
Birla made these remarks at a press conference convened primarily to announce the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, scheduled to be held at Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi on 26–27 October.
What the Speaker Said on Impeachment
'We will adopt the procedure when it is tabled. There is a procedure for it, just as there is a procedure for removing a Supreme Court judge. The Election Commission also has a similar procedure,' Birla told reporters.
He added: 'Everyone has the right to express their views in a democracy. When they bring it to Parliament, we will take action at that time.' The Speaker's remarks were measured and procedural, neither endorsing nor dismissing the Opposition's intent.
Background: Why the CEC Is Under Fire
Opposition pressure against CEC Gyanesh Kumar intensified following a media report that alleged internal differences within the Election Commission of India (ECI) over procedures governing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Critics argue the revision process lacks transparency and could affect voter enfranchisement.
In September, opposition leaders formally backed a parliamentary move seeking the CEC's removal. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, however, dismissed the effort, asserting that any such motion would be defeated on the floor of the House.
Notably, if tabled, this would mark the third attempt by Opposition parties to initiate an impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar — underscoring the sustained and escalating nature of the political confrontation over the Election Commission's independence.
BRICS Parliamentary Forum: The Main Announcement
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum will convene at Samvidhan Sadan on 26–27 October, bringing together Presiding Officers and Parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries. The forum, according to Birla, marks 'a new chapter in India's Parliamentary diplomacy'.
Attendees will include Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Presiding Officers of state legislatures, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend and hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with delegates from 11 BRICS member countries and 10 specially invited partner countries.
Birla confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia have declined to participate. A preparatory meeting of delegation secretaries is scheduled for 25 October to finalise the Joint Statement of the forum.
What Happens Next
The Opposition's impeachment motion can only proceed once formally tabled in Parliament, after which the Speaker would be constitutionally required to refer it to a committee for examination — mirroring the process applicable to Supreme Court judges. Whether the motion clears that threshold will depend on whether the Opposition can muster the requisite numbers, a prospect the ruling BJP has so far publicly ruled out.
Point of View
Accelerated by the electoral roll revision controversy. What mainstream coverage often misses is the structural asymmetry: the same Speaker who rules on admissibility of such a motion leads a House where the ruling BJP commands a majority, raising questions about whether procedural neutrality can be guaranteed in practice. The BRICS forum announcement in the same breath was likely deliberate agenda-management — anchoring the press conference in diplomacy while giving the impeachment question only a narrow window.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla say about the impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
Birla said the motion would follow 'due parliamentary procedure' once tabled, comparing it to the process for removing a Supreme Court judge. He did not indicate whether the motion would be admitted or blocked, stressing only that established procedure would govern the outcome.
Why is the Opposition seeking to impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
The push for impeachment intensified after a media report alleged internal differences within the Election Commission of India over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Critics argue the process lacks transparency and could affect voter registration outcomes.
How many times has the Opposition attempted to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
If the fresh motion is tabled, it would be the third such attempt by Opposition parties. The BJP has maintained that any impeachment motion would be defeated given the ruling coalition's parliamentary strength.
What is the process for impeaching a Chief Election Commissioner in India?
The process mirrors that for removing a Supreme Court judge — a formal motion must be tabled in Parliament, after which the Speaker refers it to a designated committee for examination. The motion requires support from a prescribed number of lawmakers before it can proceed.
What is the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and who will attend?
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is a diplomatic gathering of Presiding Officers and Parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, scheduled for 26–27 October at Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend and meet delegates from 11 BRICS member nations and 10 specially invited partner countries; Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia have declined to participate.
