The INDIA alliance has officially postponed the planned public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar until October 31, 2026. The decision came after a review committee recommended a delay to allow for exhaustive evidence gathering.
In a statement released by the alliance's chief, Rahul Gandhi, the move was justified by citing "legal prudence and procedural fairness". He added that the impeachment motion will be refiled in the Lok Sabha on the new date.
Earlier, the opposition had accused Kumar of compromising electoral neutrality amid the 2024 general elections. The CEC has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations "baseless".
The delay has drawn mixed reactions. While the ruling NDA applauds the "respect for democratic process", the Aam Aadmi Party says the postponement "trouples the public trust".
Civil society group "JanJan" has urged the government to expedite the proceedings, warning that prolonged uncertainty could erode voter confidence. A resident of New Delhi, Meera Singh, said, "We need a swift resolution; the delay only fuels doubts about our elections."
The motion will be presented in the Lok Sabha on Oct 31, after which a parliamentary committee will convene on Nov 15 to scrutinise the evidence. The outcome will determine whether Kumar faces removal or continues his tenure.