Opposition Parties Mull Impeachment of CEC

The issue has been discussed and to a great extent an agreement has been reached. We will take the right decision at the right time.

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RJD's Manoj Jha said, "All parliamentary and legal options are open before us and will be used."

The procedure for removing the CEC is the same as that for removing a Supreme Court or High Court judge. As per law, the CEC can be removed only by Parliament. The Constitution states that a motion supported by 50 MPs of the Rajya Sabha or 100 MPs of the Lok Sabha has to be moved in Parliament and passed by the House with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.

The statement by opposition parties claimed that it is now clear that those who lead the EC "divert and thwart any attempt at a meaningful inquiry into voter fraud and instead opt to intimidate those who challenge the ruling party. This is a serious indictment."

It also said that "the CEC offered no comment or clarification on why the Bihar SIR was being conducted in such a hasty, ill-prepared and ad hoc manner."

"The CEC offered no clarification or comment on the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, on the voter fraud unearthed in Mahadevapura, except to reiterate his legally infirm demand for the data to be placed on affidavit. Furthermore, the CEC refused to answer any hard questions with regard to why no inquiry or investigation had taken place on the allegations of voter fraud," the statement said.

Congress MP Naseer Hussain alleged that autonomous constitutional bodies are being "usurped" by the government to mislead people. He also demanded that a discussion on SIR and EC be allowed in both Houses of Parliament, which the government is so far "stonewalling."