# Speaker Om Birla says any fresh motion to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar will be examined under the rules

Politics · 22 October 2026 · New Delhi, India
URL: https://connectthedots.news/event/2026-10-22-speaker-om-birla-says-any-fresh-motion-to-remove-cec-gyanesh-kumar

> Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said a new opposition notice to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be examined under parliamentary rules, as the INDIA bloc plans more protests over the voter-roll revision.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on 22 October that any fresh notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be examined under parliamentary rules and procedures. "If any fresh notice comes, we will see and examine it accordingly under rules and procedures," he told a press conference in New Delhi called to discuss India's hosting of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26-27 October. [1][2]

The opposition has tried twice to remove Kumar. Notices from the first attempt were rejected in both Houses, while notices from the second attempt remain pending in the Rajya Sabha. Birla's remark does not mean a fresh motion has been admitted. [1][3]

The opposition's complaints centre on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and protests demanding Kumar's resignation have been held in several parts of the country over the past fortnight. The row grew after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected on record at least 14 times over 10 months to SIR decisions taken without their knowledge. The Election Commission says differing views are normal and that its orders follow statutory procedure. [1][3][4]

Asked about recent youth protests against the CEC, Birla said MPs can raise any issue in Parliament but that placards and sloganeering have no place there. Under the Constitution and a 2023 law, the CEC can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge: proved misbehaviour or incapacity, with a special majority in each House. [1][4]

INDIA bloc leaders were due to hold a virtual meeting on 22 October, chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on a next round of protests against Kumar that may begin in early November, after a rally at Ramlila Ground on 1 November. Options reportedly include a mock Parliament that would enact his "impeachment"; a Congress leader said no concrete plan had been finalised. [5]

## Who was involved

- [Om Birla](https://connectthedots.news/person/om-birla): Said any fresh notice to remove the CEC would be examined under rules and procedures [1][2]
- [Gyanesh Kumar](https://connectthedots.news/person/gyanesh-kumar): Target of opposition removal notices and protests over the voter-roll revision [1][3]
- [Election Commission of India](https://connectthedots.news/org/election-commission-of-india): Its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is at the centre of the dispute; says its orders follow statutory procedure [3][4]
- [Mallikarjun Kharge](https://connectthedots.news/person/mallikarjun-kharge): Chaired an INDIA bloc virtual meeting on further protests against the CEC [5]
- [Indian National Congress](https://connectthedots.news/org/indian-national-congress): Leads the INDIA bloc push for the CEC's resignation and planned protests [5]

## Sources

1. Deccan Chronicle, "Fresh Motion To Remove CEC Will Follow Rules: Birla", 22 October 2026: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/fresh-motion-to-remove-cec-will-follow-rules-birla-1997946
2. Free Press Journal, "Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Says Any Fresh Motion To Remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar Will Be Examined Under Parliamentary Rules", 22 October 2026: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/lok-sabha-speaker-om-birla-says-fresh-motion-to-remove-cec-gyanesh-kumar-will-be-examined-under-parliamentary-rules-video
3. Outlook, "Om Birla Says Any New Notice Seeking CEC's Removal Will Follow Rules", 22 October 2026: https://www.outlookindia.com/national/om-birla-says-any-new-notice-seeking-cecs-removal-will-follow-rules
4. Daily Jagran, "Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Says 'Will Follow Prescribed Procedure On Impeachment Motion To Remove CEC'", 23 October 2026: https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/news/lok-sabha-speaker-om-birla-says-will-follow-prescribed-procedure-on-impeachment-motion-to-remove-cec-10333661
5. Daily Jagran, "INDIA Bloc's Next Round Of Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar May Begin In Early November, Virtual Meet Today", 22 October 2026: https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/news/india-blocs-next-round-of-protests-against-cec-gyanesh-kumar-may-begin-in-early-november-virtual-meet-today-10333561