The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to undergo a significant transformation with the appointment of two new election commissioners by March 15. This move comes in response to the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the unexpected resignation of Arun Goel, leaving Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as the sole member of the poll authority.
The sudden resignation of Arun Goel, which was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu, has prompted the ECI to expedite the process of appointing new commissioners. With the Lok Sabha polls schedule expected to be announced soon, the need to fill these vacancies becomes even more urgent.
Anup Chandra Pandey had retired on February 14 upon reaching the age of 65, creating one of the vacancies in the commission. Now, with Arun Goel’s resignation, the need to appoint two new commissioners has become paramount.
To facilitate the appointment process, a search committee led by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has been tasked with preparing two separate panels of five names each for the vacant positions. These panels will then be reviewed by a selection committee chaired by the Prime Minister, along with other members including a Union minister and the Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
The appointment of the new election commissioners will be finalized by the President, with the selection committee expected to convene either on March 13 or 14 to make their recommendations. It is anticipated that the appointments will be made by March 15.
Before the implementation of a new law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs), the President appointed commissioners based on the government’s recommendation. However, under the new law, the selection process involves a more structured approach with the involvement of a selection committee.
Regarding Arun Goel’s resignation, sources suggest that it may have been due to personal reasons. There is no indication of any dissent or differences between Goel and Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, as internal records and decisions show no such conflicts.
Despite Goel’s resignation, the ECI has continued its preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Goel’s absence from a crucial meeting between the EC and top home ministry and railway officials did not impede the commission’s efforts to finalize deployment and movement plans for central forces during the elections.
Arun Goel, a seasoned bureaucrat and former IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, joined the Election Commission in November 2022. His tenure was scheduled to last until December 5, 2027, with the possibility of becoming the Chief Election Commissioner after Rajiv Kumar’s retirement next year.
The appointment of new election commissioners will ensure the smooth functioning of the Election Commission and uphold the integrity of India’s democratic process. With the Lok Sabha polls on the horizon, the commission remains committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.
