An impeachment notice moved against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has brought renewed attention to Article 324 of the Constitution, which governs the powers, functions and independence of the Election Commission of India. The issue is important in the context of removal safeguards, appointment rules and the legal framework shaped by recent laws and court judgments.

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• The impeachment notice against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has made Article 324 a major constitutional issue in current affairs and polity.
• Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India, covering elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.
• The Chief Election Commissioner enjoys protection in removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge, which is meant to safeguard the independence of the Election Commission from executive pressure.
• The CEC can be removed only in a manner and on grounds similar to those applicable to a judge of the Supreme Court, making the process difficult and constitutionally significant.
• Other Election Commissioners cannot be removed except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner, which creates an additional institutional safeguard within the Commission.
• The issue also draws attention to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which deals with the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Election Commissioners.
• The matter is important for UPSC because it combines core constitutional provisions, Election Commission independence, removal procedure and recent legal-political developments in one topic.
• The Anoop Baranwal judgment is especially relevant because it addressed the appointment process of Election Commissioners and highlighted concerns about institutional independence and neutrality.