An impeachment motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, spearheaded by a coalition of opposition parties, was formally rejected on May 9, 2024, by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The rejection marks the conclusion of a significant parliamentary effort by the opposition to question the Election Commission's conduct, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

The motion, proposed by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and supported by numerous Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc, cited concerns regarding the Election Commission's functioning. Allegations outlined in the petition included issues related to alleged delays in the release of voter turnout data, the handling of complaints concerning Model Code of Conduct violations, and broader questions about transparency and impartiality during the electoral process.

Under the provisions governing the removal of a Chief Election Commissioner, similar to a Supreme Court judge, a motion must garner the support of a specific number of MPs to even be admitted. In the Rajya Sabha, this threshold is 50 members, while in the Lok Sabha, it is 100. Following the submission of the motion, the Rajya Sabha Chairman is mandated to review it to determine if there exists a prima facie case requiring further investigation.

  • Submission Date: The motion was reportedly submitted in early May 2024.
  • Signatories: The petition garnered signatures from MPs across various opposition parties.
  • Chairman's Review: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar undertook a detailed examination of the allegations and supporting evidence presented.
  • Grounds for Rejection: Chairman Dhankhar dismissed the motion, stating that it lacked a prima facie case, failing to establish sufficient grounds for proceeding with an inquiry into the CEC's conduct. This decision falls within the powers vested in the Chairman under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which also governs the removal procedure for election commissioners.

The Chairman's decision effectively closes the parliamentary route for the impeachment of CEC Rajiv Kumar based on the current set of allegations and evidence. This action is definitive at the parliamentary admission stage and typically cannot be challenged within the legislative framework.

Following this rejection, the opposition's options for further challenging the Election Commission's conduct or seeking accountability are narrowed to extra-parliamentary avenues. These may include continued public discourse, media campaigns, or potential legal challenges through the courts, although directly challenging the Chairman's procedural decision on an impeachment motion is constitutionally complex. The focus is now expected to shift to post-election analysis and discussions regarding electoral reforms.