Resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel Leaves Commission with Sole Chief Commissioner

Election Commissioner Arun Goel‘s sudden resignation, just ahead of the anticipated Lok Sabha elections in 2024, has significantly impacted the Election Commission. President Droupadi Murmu accepted Goel’s resignation, leaving the Commission solely under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The gazette notification issued on Saturday formally acknowledged and accepted Goel’s resignation, in accordance with the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

Arun Goel, a seasoned bureaucrat belonging to the 1985 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), assumed the role of Election Commissioner on November 21, 2022. Prior to his appointment, Goel served as the secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industry, Government of India.

The precise reasons behind Arun Goel’s resignation remain undisclosed, adding an air of uncertainty to the already complex electoral landscape. His departure comes at a critical juncture when the Election Commission is immersed in intense preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The absence of a key member such as Goel poses significant challenges to the Commission’s operational efficiency and decision-making process.

As the country braces itself for the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission finds itself grappling with logistical and strategic issues. While the election dates are yet to be announced, the Commission’s teams have been actively evaluating the preparedness of various states for the impending electoral process, tentatively scheduled for April-May.

In a recent development, the Election Commission convened a crucial security meeting with representatives from the Union Home Ministry and the Indian Railways to discuss the deployment and movement of security personnel nationwide. The security arrangements are pivotal to ensuring the smooth conduct of elections and safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process.

In addition to overseeing the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission is tasked with coordinating state elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh. The logistical intricacies of conducting multiple elections simultaneously further compound the challenges faced by the Commission.

Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale expressed deep concern over the ramifications of Arun Goel’s resignation, particularly in light of the existing vacancy in the position of the other election commissioner. Gokhale highlighted the Modi government’s recent legislative changes, enabling the appointment of Election Commissioners through a majority vote of Prime Minister Modi and a minister chosen by him. This development raises apprehensions about the forthcoming appointments to the Election Commission and their potential implications for the integrity and impartiality of the electoral process.

As the political landscape undergoes significant transformations, the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel underscores the need for robust institutional mechanisms to uphold the democratic ethos and ensure the smooth functioning of electoral processes.

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