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In an unexpected turn of events, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has tendered his resignation weeks before the much-anticipated Lok Sabha polls. The resignation, confirmed and accepted by the President, leaves the Election Commission of India with a single member – Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
Why before Lok Sabha Elections?
With Lok Sabha election dates expected to be announced next week, Arun Goel’s sudden departure raises doubts about the election schedule. Speculation about his resignation being due to health issues was dispelled by top officials, asserting that Mr. Goel is in perfect health.
Resignation due to personal reasons
Arun Goel attributed his resignation to personal reasons, and despite government efforts to persuade him to stay, he remained firm in his decision. Government officials mentioned that the process of appointing new election commissioners will commence soon.
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Appointment of Arun Goel was controversial
A 1985-batch IAS officer, Arun Goel’s appointment as Election Commissioner had raised eyebrows in the Supreme Court previously. The court had questioned the haste in his appointment, with concerns about the “tearing hurry” surrounding the decision-making process.
Having taken voluntary retirement on November 18, 2022, Arun Goel’s tenure was supposed to last until 2027. He was poised to succeed Rajiv Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner after Kumar’s retirement next year.
Opposition raising concerns
Even before Goel’s resignation, concerns loomed over the Election Commission’s functionality, given the vacancy created by Anup Pandey’s retirement last month. Opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress’s Saket Gokhale and Congress’s KC Venugopal, express deep concern over the lack of transparency in the Election Commission’s operations.
Why did Election Commissioner Arun Goel abruptly resign last night just after cutting short his trip to Bengal with the ECI?
What explains this sudden mystery days before the elections?
This is a part of the "chronology" of Modi's & BJP's dirty tricks to steal votes in Bengal.… pic.twitter.com/3UQYswae4i
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) March 10, 2024
The appointment process for Election Commissioners has undergone significant changes, with a new law allowing the Prime Minister and a Union Cabinet minister to appoint them with a majority vote. This development has sparked criticism and concerns about compromising the autonomy of the Election Commission.
Supreme Court’s Role
While a Supreme Court ruling in March last year recommended a collegium-like system for transparent appointments, the recent legislative changes have altered the dynamics. The court’s order remains in force until Parliament enacts a new law for the appointment of Election Commissioners.
As the nation gears up for the Lok Sabha polls, Arun Goel’s resignation adds a layer of uncertainty, prompting scrutiny of the Election Commission’s structure and the appointment process.
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