Retired IAS Officers Appointed as Election Commissioners

Retired IAS Officers Appointed as Election Commissioners

VoM News Desk | March 14, 2024 | 11:20 PM IST | Elections 2024, Politics | Follow on Google News

Retired IAS Officers Appointed as Election Commissioners

Retired IAS Officers Appointed as Election Commissioners

In response to recent vacancies in the Election Commission of India due to the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel, retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have been appointed as Election Commissioners, as per an official statement from the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Appointment Process and Dissent

The appointments were made under the powers conferred by Section 4 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023. However, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury dissented on the government’s choice of names for the position of Election Commissioner, citing procedural lacunae in the selection process.

Chowdhury highlighted concerns over the selection committee’s composition and alleged lack of transparency in the appointment process.

Background of Appointees

Gyanesh Kumar, formerly Secretary of the Cooperation Ministry, and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, bring with them a wealth of administrative experience to their new roles.

Sandhu, a 1988 batch IAS officer, retired from the position of Chief Secretary on January 31, 2024, while Gyanesh Kumar retired as Secretary of the Cooperation Ministry in February.

Legislative Changes in Appointment Process

The appointment and service terms of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are now regulated by a bill passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 12. The bill replaces the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991, and mandates the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners by the President upon the recommendation of a Selection Committee comprising 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.

Upcoming Challenges

The newly appointed Election Commissioners will face the immediate challenge of ensuring the successful conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls scheduled to be held in April-May this year.

VoM News Desk

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