Lok Sabha polls 2024: KC Venugopal expresses shock over Election Commissioner Arun Goel’s resignation, questioning the government’s intentions for free and fair elections.
PremiumSeveral opposition leaders have expressed their shock regarding the sudden resignation of the Election Commissioner Arun Goel before the Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing the widespread concern across the nation regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also slammed the Centre and said that the government is uninterested in ensuring a transparent and impartial electoral process.
Also Read: Lok Sabha polls LIVE
The resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel was announced on Saturday and subsequently accepted by the President.
“This is quite shocking; just before the declaration of elections, the Election Commissioner has resigned. Now, only one Election Commissioner is there… What is happening in this Election Commission? The entire country is anxious. The government of India doesn’t want a free and fair election,” said Venugopal told ANI.
“Earlier, they removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection body of the Election Commission and Election Commissioner. In place of CJI, they included a cabinet minister… now it has become a government affair… transparency has been lost in this process,” he added.
In a post on X, he wrote, “During the 2019 elections, Mr. Ashok Lavasa had dissented against a clean chit to the PM for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Later, he faced relentless inquiries. This attitude shows the regime is hellbent on destroying democratic traditions.”
TMC says ‘very concerning’
Meanwhile, TMC MP Saket Gokhale said that the resignation of Goel is ‘very very concerning’.
In a post on X, Gokhale wrote, “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.”
Arun Goel assumed charge as Election Commissioner (EC) of India on November 21, 2022. He has also worked as Secretary, the Ministry of Culture; Vice-Chairman, the Delhi Development Authority; Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, the Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Joint Secretary, the Department of Revenue, and Ministry of Finance. The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year.
Mahua Moitra in a post on X, wrote, “Why does EC Arun Goel resign right after ECI’s poll review meeting in Kolkata where he left abruptly? Apparently disagreed with Delhi’s diktat on num of phases & excessive force deployment. Will now be replaced by a hand-picked, yes man.”
Earlier in the day, Venugopal raised concerns over Election Commissioner Goel’s resignation, stating, “ It is deeply concerning for the health of the world’s largest democracy that Election Commissioner Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections.”
Srinivas BV, National President of Indian Youth Congress, wrote, “Just before the Lok Sabha elections: Country’s Election Commissioner Arun Goel Resignation, is it a common occurrence?? There is already a vacancy in the post of one Election Commissioner in the country, and now another post has also become vacant. Meaning, now Modi ji himself will decide who will be the next two ‘Anil Masih’ of the Election Commission!!”
Meanwhile, Sanjeev Gupta, IAS 1985 batch, wrote on X, “A resignation of Election Commissioner as fast as the appointment of Arun Goel (on a single da November 18, 2022). Raises serious questions about independence of Election Commission of India, Spokesperson ECI. All of us batchmates are simply wonderstruck at what’s happening. No response from him.”
The Lok Sabha elections are slated to be held in April-May this year.
Who is Arun Goel?
Arun Goel, who had tenure until December 5, 2027, and was in line to become the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after the retirement of Rajiv Kumar in February of the following year, tendered his resignation. The President, Droupadi Murmu, accepted his resignation with effect from Saturday, as per a notification from the law ministry. The reason behind his resignation is not immediately apparent.
Also Read: Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024
Goel, a retired bureaucrat and a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, had joined the Election Commission in November 2022.
What’s next?
With the retirements of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and Goel’s resignation, the three-member EC is now reduced to only one member: CEC Rajiv Kumar.
Under the new law governing the appointment of CEC and ECs, a search committee chaired by the law minister, along with two union secretaries, will shortlist five names for consideration.
Following the resignation of Arun Goel, the selection process for filling the vacant positions within the Election Commission involves a committee chaired by the Prime Minister. This committee includes a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single-largest opposition party in the House. The committee selects one name, and the appointed CEC or EC is then officially appointed by the President.
Notably, Ashok Lavasa resigned as Election Commissioner in August 2020. His exit was preceded by his dissent notes on various decisions regarding model code violations made by the EC during the last Lok Sabha elections.
Initially, the commission comprised only a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). However, it currently includes the CEC and two election commissioners.
Additional commissioners were first appointed on October 16, 1989, but they had a brief tenure until January 1, 1990. Meanwhile, on October 1, 1993, two additional election commissioners were appointed, establishing the concept of a multi-member EC, where decisions are made by a majority vote.
(With inputs from agencies)
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it’s all here, just a click away! Login Now!
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More
Less
Published: 10 Mar 2024, 07:11 AM IST