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Shockwaves as Election Commissioner quits ahead of 2024 LS Polls

Following the resignation of Arun Goel, the Commission is now left with only Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar. Read More

Sunday March 10, 2024 12:53 PM, ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: The sudden decision of Election Commissioner (EC) Arun Goel to resign from his post weeks before the 2024 Parliamentary Elections has sent shockwaves across the country.

The 3-membr Election Commission of India is headed by Chief Election Commissioner. There was already a vacancy in the Election Commission after Anup Chandra Pandey’s retirement as Election Commissioner last month.

Following the resignation of Arun Goel, the Commission is now left with only Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar.

Arun Goel's tenure was till December 2027 and he was most likely to succeed as CEC Rajiv Kumar after his retirement in February 2025.

It is being speculated that Goel put in his papers because of 'differences' with CEC Kumar.

Commenting on the latest development, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed concern over the implications of Goel's sudden departure. Kharge asked whether the current state of affairs warranted renaming the Election Commission to "Election OMISSION".

"Election Commission or Election OMISSION? India now has only one Election Commissioner, even as Lok Sabha elections are to be announced in few days. Why?" he asked on social media platform X.

Kharge also issued a renewed appeal to save the country’s institutions.

"As I have said earlier, if we do not stop the systematic decimation of our independent institutions, our democracy shall be usurped by dictatorship!" he added.

The resignation of Arun Goel comes amid the widespread allegations of manipulation in the Electronic Voting Machines. Fingers are also pointed out on the Election Commission for preparing poll schedules suitable to the ruling party.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also criticised the lack of transparency in the functioning of the constitutional institutions like the Election Commission and alleged pressures exerted by the government.

"This is quite shocking; just before the declaration of elections, the Election Commissioner has resigned. Now, only one Election Commissioner is there... What is happening in this Election Commission? The entire country is anxious. The government of India doesn't want a free and fair election," the Congress general secretary said.

Meanwhile, reports citing unnamed government sources said the 3-member panel to appoint the vacant positions in the Election Commission is likely to meet either on March 14 or 15, 2024.

The panel to elect the CEC and ECs is comprising of Prime Minister Modi, a cabinet minister designated by the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Cowdhury.

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