Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said any fresh impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar would be examined in accordance with the laid-down procedures, amid Opposition protests demanding his removal over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Parliament adjourned on August 13
it does not specify a deadline for proroguing a House While it requires that no more than six months elapse between two sessions. The Monsoon session was adjourned sine die on August 13 but has not yet been prorogued. Article 85 empowers the President to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament, or dissolve the Lok Sabha, on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The government needs to give 15 days’ notice before convening a full session and at least three days’ notice for a special session, according to a person aware of the details. Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said earlier this week that there had been several instances in the past when both Houses had not been prorogued for extended periods, including for periods of up to 87 days. 18 countries have submitted suggestions for the forum, which will be taken up during the deliberations While Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia are yet to confirm their participation.
On the petitions seeking the disqualification of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs who broke away and merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a registered, unrecognised regional party, Birla said the matter was being examined. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the event and meet leaders of visiting delegations, Birla said.
Opposition’s demands removal of CEC
“We will follow the process when the motion is moved. Under the law, the CEC can be removed by Parliament through a process similar to the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge. The CEC or an Election Commissioner may also resign by submitting a written resignation to the President.
Just as there is a procedure for the impeachment of judges, there is a process laid down for the CEC too… It will be followed if the opposition moves a motion,” Birla said at a press conference ahead of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which India is hosting. He said the process of proroguing Parliament was explicitly laid down in the Constitution and that there had been instances of long intervals between the adjournment of a session and the proroguing of the House.
