Gyanesh Kumar named as new Chief Election Commissioner
Gyanesh Kumar named as new Chief Election Commissioner
Digital desk: Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner, the Union Law Ministry stated on Monday. He will succeed Rajiv Kumar, who will leave office on Tuesday after reaching the age of 65.
As the next Chief Election Commissioner, he would be in charge of elections in five states: opposition-ruled Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, as well as NDA-ruled Bihar and Assam, soon. The election in Bihar is scheduled for later this year, with the remainder taking place in 2026.
Chief election commissioners serve for six years, or until they reach the age of 65, whichever occurs first. Kumar became the first Chief Election Commissioner to be appointed under the new law.
Gyanesh Kumar was chosen by a selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi.
Mr Kumar, who will remain in office until January 26, 2029, will lead the Commission through 20 Assembly elections, elections for President and Vice President in 2027, and preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
Mr Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, worked for the Union Home Ministry and helped develop the bill that repealed Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Dr. Vivek Joshi, an IAS from the 1989 batch, has been appointed as Election Commissioner, effective the date he assumes charge of his post.
The appointment was announced shortly after a meeting of the Election Committee, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, who expressed dissatisfaction.
Earlier today, Congress proposed that the administration postpone the meeting to pick the chief election commissioner until the Supreme Court hears a petition on the composition of the selection panel on February 19.
