New Delhi, February 15, 2025
In a late Thursday announcement, the Indian government appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), following Rajiv Kumar.
Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, takes over as the elder of the two election commissioners. As the CEC, he will oversee elections in five states shortly, including Bihar’s election later this year. The remaining elections in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are scheduled for 2026. Kumar will serve until January 26, 2029, and will lead the Election Commission through the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and the 2027 presidential and vice-presidential elections.
Kumar’s appointment is historic, as he is the first Chief Election Commissioner selected under the newly enacted law governing the Election Commission’s (EC) member appointments. Kumar’s tenure is marked by his significant background in the Union Home Ministry, where he played a key role in the 2019 bill that repealed Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports suggest that Kumar is also closely associated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
However, the appointment has sparked controversy, particularly from the Congress Party. The party has raised objections, citing the ongoing challenge to the law governing the CEC’s selection in the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the case on Saturday. Congress argues that the government’s move undermines the integrity of the Election Commission and allows the ruling administration to exert undue influence over it.
Despite these objections, the government proceeded with the appointment, emphasizing the need to avoid a vacancy in the Election Commission. The political and legal developments surrounding the appointment are likely to intensify in the coming days.
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