CEC Gyanesh Kumar has lost public trust and must be removed, say former bureaucrats, activists
A group of former bureaucrats and activists has formally accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of misconduct and is seeking his removal. The delegation alleges that the CEC has undermined the Election Commission's collective decision-making and disenfranchised voters through administrative changes.
Why it matters
This challenge to the leadership of India's top electoral body raises significant questions about the independence and integrity of the democratic process.
A group of senior retired bureaucrats, civil society activists, and academics accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of six instances of “proved misbehaviour” and sought his removal, but could not submit their “notice of impeachment” to him in person, as heavy barricading and police deployment prevented the delegation from reaching the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) office on Mondy (October 5, 2026).
They subsequently emailed their “chargesheet” to the CEC. It invokes Article 324(5) of the Constitution, which protects the CEC from removal except on grounds of “proved misbehaviour or incapacity”, and alleges that the CEC’s conduct amounted to a sustained disregard of law and constitutional duty.
The 14-member delegation included former Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, former Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, and other former IAS officers and ambassadors.
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