New Delhi: Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned from his post on Saturday, after which his resignation was accepted by the President.
Arun Goel took charge as the Election Commissioner of India on 21 November 2022. Many questions are being raised regarding the time at which Arun Goel’s resignation has come because the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections are in their final stages and it is believed that the dates of the next Lok Sabha elections can be announced.
Arun Goel, under clause (1) of section 11 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure of Office) Act 2023, with effect from March 9, 2024, said the gazette issued on acceptance of the resignation of the President. The President has accepted the resignation letter given by the Election Commissioner.
Arun Goel is a 1985 batch Punjab Cadre Administrative Service officer, who has served in the Government of India for 37 years. He was the election officer of Bathinda between 1993 and 1994 and Ludhiana district between 1995 and 2000.
The Supreme Court had raised questions on the appointment of Arun Goyal:
When Arun Goel was made the Election Commissioner on 21 November 2022, many questions were raised on this appointment and the matter even reached the Supreme Court. Arun Goel was to retire on 3 December the same year, but he took VRS on 18 November itself. The very next day i.e. on 19 November, he was appointed Election Commissioner and on 21 November 2022, he took over the charge of Election Commissioner of India.
The Supreme Court had expressed surprise over the appointment of Arun Goel and said that in the same day he took voluntary retirement from service and in the same day the Law Ministry approved his file. The list of four names was presented before the Prime Minister and Arun Goel’s name also got approval from the President within 24 hours. The Supreme Court had said that Section 6 of the appointment process has been violated in this entire matter.
Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale posted on X, “In a sudden move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has abruptly resigned. 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 appointed with a majority vote of PM Modi & 1 Minister chosen by him. Ergo, before 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi will now appoint 2 out of the 3 Election Commissioners after today’s resignation. This is VERY VERY concerning.
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
Gokhale has termed Arun Goel’s resignation “very very concerning” and pointed out that the panel to pick Election Commissioners now consists of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
