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.
Very very concerning: Trinamool MP reacts
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.
