Election Commissioner Arun Goel Resigns Weeks Before Lok Sabha Polls

New Delhi: In a surprise development just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Arun Goel, Election Commissioner of India tendered his resignation on March 9, which was accepted by the President. This leaves the Election Commission with only one member, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, as there was already a vacancy.

Sources indicate that the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, expected next week, might face delays due to Goel’s resignation. Goel cited personal reasons for his resignation despite government efforts to persuade him otherwise, stating that he is in good health.

Goel, a former IAS officer, had voluntarily retired in November 2022 and was appointed as Election Commissioner the next day. His appointment had faced scrutiny, with the Supreme Court questioning the haste in his selection. However, a petition against his appointment was dismissed by the court last year.

Concerns were already looming over the functioning of the Election Commission with only two members in its core body. Congress leader KC Venugopal expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency in the Commission’s operations.

The appointment process for Election Commissioners underwent significant changes following a Supreme Court ruling last year, which directed the involvement of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India in the appointment process. However, a subsequent Bill passed by Parliament replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet minister in the appointment panel, leading to criticism from opposition leaders who claimed it compromised the Commission’s autonomy.