Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of LS polls
Lok Sabha elections, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has suddenly resigned, leaving the poll body with only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at the helm, unless the Centre appoints two new election commissioners this week.
Goel's resignation that has come three years before his term was to complete in 2027, is a significant development that also puts the poll panel's internal dynamics in the spotlight ahead of yet another general election, just like in 2019.
More so, given that Goel was actively participating in all the poll-related meetings right until Saturday, touring states and holding briefings with ECI officials. Goel was also present at the March 8 high-level discussion held with the home ministry on deployment of forces for polls. He was also scheduled to visit J&K along with the CEC on March 12.
The news of his resignation came with a late evening gazette notification issued by the law ministry which said that the «President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Sh Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from 09th March 2024». The notification cites clause (1) of Section 11 of the new law — The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 — that allows a CEC or EC to resign any time, in writing to the President of India. Incidentally, Goel was a surprise appointee as the Election Commissioner in November 2022 and the Supreme Court even frowned upon the process at that time, commenting on the
