Election Commissioner Arun Goel: Concerns were raised by opposition parties on Saturday in response to Arun Goel’s unexpected resignation as election commissioner, which occurred shortly before the Lok Sabha elections.
Presidential Acceptance of Resignation
President Droupadi Murmu accepted Goel’s resignation on Saturday, according to a gazette announcement from the law ministry. Following Goel’s resignation, Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, is the only person leading the Election Commission; there are no other election commissioners.
Deeply disturbing, according to Congress national secretary KC Venugopal, was Goel’s resignation just before the Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that the Election Commission, a constitutional agency, had been operating with zero transparency.
Concerns for Democracy’s Health
“It is deeply concerning for the health of the world’s largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections,” Venugopal wrote on X. “There is absolutely no transparency in how a constitutional institution like the ECI has been functioning and the manner in which the government pressurises them,” he added.
Allegations of Retribution Against Ashok Lavasa
Venugopal stated that Ashok Lavasa, a former election commissioner, has objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving a clean sheet for breaking the Model Code of Conduct during the 2019 elections. “Later, he (Lavasa) faced relentless inquiries. This attitude shows the regime is hellbent on destroying democratic traditions, ” he said.
Alarm Over Legislative Changes
Goel’s resignation was deemed “very very concerning” by Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale. “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 the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi will now appoint 2 out of the 3 Election Commissioners after today’s resignation. This is VERY VERY concerning,” Saket posted on X.
Arun Goel’s Distinguished Career
Arun Goel, an IAS official from the 1985 batch, was the ministry of heavy industries’ secretary before. On November 21, 2022, Goel assumed the role of election commissioner. He had retired voluntarily the day before.
In addition, he held positions as joint secretary of the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue, additional secretary and financial advisor for the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and vice chairman of the Delhi Development Authority.
When Rajiv Kumar’s term as chief election commissioner ends in February 2025, Arun Goel was expected to take over. The legislation states that an individual may hold the position of election commissioner, or CEC, for a maximum of six years, or until they are 65.
