Subscribe Now! Get features like
Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned just ahead of the Lok Sabha election 2024 and President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation on Saturday. The Election Commission is now headed only by the Chief Election Commissioner (Rajiv Kumar) and no election commissioners. “In pursuance of clause (1) of Section 11 of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 09th March, 2024,” the gazette notification issued on Saturday read.
Arun Goel took over the charge of the election commissioner on November 21, 2022.
A 1985 batch IAS officer, Arun Goel previously served as the secretary, ministry of heavy industry, Govt of India.
The reason for Arun Goel‘s resignation is not yet known.
Arun Goel’s resignation came amid the peak of Lok Sabha election preparation by the Election Commission. The dates of the elections are not yet announced though teams have been visiting states to check the preparedness for the election likely to be held in April-May.
On Friday, the Election Commission held a security meeting with the Union home ministry and the railways officials for the deployment and movement of security personnel across the country.
Apart from the high-stakes Lok Sabha election, the Commission will also have to conduct the state elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh.
In 2019, Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and were held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said there is no transparency in how the Election Commission has been functioning. It is deeply concerning for the health of the world’s largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections…During the 2019 elections, Mr. Ashok Lavasa had dissented against a clean chit to the PM for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Later, he faced relentless inquiries. This attitude shows the regime is hellbent on destroying democratic traditions. This must be explained, and the ECI must be completely non-partisan at all times,” Venugopal said.
Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale said this is very very concerning because the post of the other election commissioner is already vacant and the Election Commission now only has the Chief Election Commissioner. “Modi Govt has introduced a new law where Election Commissioners will now be appointed with a majority vote of PM Modi & 1 Minister chosen by him. Ergo, before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi will now appoint 2 out of the 3 Election Commissioners after today’s resignation. This is VERY VERY concerning,” Saket posted on X.
Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times’ newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we’ve got you covered.