Election Commissioner Arun Goel has resigned, leaving the Election Commission of India with two vacancies just weeks before the Lok Sabha polls. The President has accepted his resignation, leaving the commission with only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. Sources indicate that the Lok Sabha election dates, expected to be announced next week, could be affected by Mr. Goel’s resignation.
Mr. Goel cited personal reasons for his resignation, despite government efforts to persuade him to stay. Officials have clarified that health was not a factor, as Mr. Goel is in perfect health. The government will now begin the process of appointing new election commissioners.
A 1985-batch IAS officer, Mr. Goel had taken voluntary retirement in November 2022 before being appointed as Election Commissioner. His appointment had previously sparked controversy, with the Supreme Court questioning the haste in his selection. A petition against his appointment was dismissed, and he was expected to succeed Rajiv Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner in 2027.
Even before Mr. Goel’s resignation, concerns had been raised about the functioning of the Election Commission with only two members. The other Election Commissioner, Anup Pandey, had retired last month. Opposition leaders have criticized recent legislative changes giving the Prime Minister and a Union Cabinet minister significant influence over the appointment process for election commissioners. They argue that these changes compromise the autonomy of the Election Commission.
Summary:
1. Election Commissioner Arun Goel has resigned from his position, leaving the Election Commission of India with two vacancies before the Lok Sabha polls.
2. His resignation has been accepted by the President, leaving the commission with only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
3. Mr. Goel cited personal reasons for his resignation, despite efforts by the government to persuade him to stay.
4. The government will now start the process of appointing new election commissioners.
5. Mr. Goel, a 1985-batch IAS officer, had taken voluntary retirement in November 2022 before being appointed as Election Commissioner.
6. His appointment had previously sparked controversy, with the Supreme Court questioning the haste in his selection, but a petition against his appointment was dismissed.
7. Mr. Goel was expected to succeed Rajiv Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner in 2027.
8. Before Mr. Goel’s resignation, concerns had been raised about the functioning of the Election Commission with only two members, as the other Election Commissioner, Anup Pandey, had retired last month.
9. Opposition leaders have criticized recent legislative changes giving the Prime Minister and a Union Cabinet minister significant influence over the appointment process for election commissioners.
10. They argue that these changes compromise the autonomy of the Election Commission.