Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the recently appointed Election Commissioners, will officially take charge on Friday. Their appointments were determined by a selection panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The Ministry of Law and Justice released an official statement, confirming their appointments in accordance with the powers conferred by the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
Arun Goel, the former Election Commissioner, submitted his resignation on March 9, which was subsequently accepted by the President. On Thursday, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury voiced dissent regarding the government’s nominations for the Election Commissioner position. Chowdhury raised concerns about procedural irregularities and questioned the composition of the selection committee.
Gyanesh Kumar retired as Secretary of the Cooperation Ministry in February, while Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, formerly Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttarakhand, concluded his service on January 31, 2024.
Recently, the appointment and service terms of Chief Election Commissioners and election commissioners were regulated by a bill passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 12. This legislation replaced the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.
Under the new law, the President will appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners based on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
The primary responsibility of the newly appointed Election Commissioners will be to oversee the smooth conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May this year.