ANI
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: In an unexpected move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has tendered his resignation just ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. President Droupadi Murmu accepted Goel's resignation on Saturday, leaving the Election Commission solely under the helm of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
President accepts the resignation tendered by Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 9th March 2024: Ministry of Law & Justice pic.twitter.com/88tuyXm4uP
— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024
A gazette notification was issued on Saturday, which confirmed the acceptance of Arun Goel's resignation, citing the provisions of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
Arun Goel, a 1985 batch IAS officer, previously held the position of secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industry, Government of India. The reason behind his resignation remains undisclosed.
Goel's departure comes amidst heightened activity within the Election Commission as preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are underway. While the election dates are yet to be announced, teams have been dispatched to assess the preparedness across various states for the anticipated polls scheduled for April-May.
In anticipation of the elections, the Election Commission convened a security meeting on Friday with officials from the Union Home Ministry and Indian Railways to discuss the deployment and movement of security personnel nationwide. In addition to overseeing the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission faces the task of conducting state elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh.
In a sudden move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has abruptly resigned.
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) March 9, 2024
The post of the other EC is vacant.
That leaves the Election Commission now with just 1 Chief Election Commissioner.
Modi Govt has introduced a new law where Election Commissioners will now be… pic.twitter.com/bCcPRgDHPr
Reacting to Arun Goel's resignation, Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale expressed concern over the situation. Gokhale emphasized the significance of the vacancy, highlighting the existing vacancy in the post of the other election commissioner. He raised concerns about recent legislative changes allowing the appointment of election commissioners through a majority vote of Prime Minister Modi and one chosen minister, potentially leading to significant changes within the Election Commission before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
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