Resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel Raises Concerns Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Election Commissioner Arun Goel tendered his resignation on Saturday, just days before the anticipated announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. President Droupadi Murmu officially accepted Mr. Goel’s resignation, effective immediately, as per a notification from the law ministry.

Sources informed About The People that Mr. Goel cited “personal reasons” for his resignation, despite government attempts to persuade him otherwise. Speculation regarding health concerns was swiftly dismissed, with top officials affirming Mr. Goel’s good health. Sources within the Election Commission indicated disagreements between Mr. Goel and Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

With Mr. Goel’s departure, the Election Commission of India, originally composed of three members, now only consists of Mr. Kumar.

A retired bureaucrat, Mr. Goel, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, joined the Election Commission in November 2022.

The announcement of Lok Sabha election dates is expected next week, but Mr. Goel’s unexpected exit has raised doubts about the previously anticipated timeline.

Next Steps

The process to appoint a new Chief Election Commissioner involves a search committee, chaired by the law minister and comprising two union secretaries, which shortlists five candidates. Following this, a selection committee led by the Prime Minister and including a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single-largest opposition party, selects the final candidate. The President then formally appoints the chosen CEC or EC.

A notable development preceding Mr. Goel’s resignation was the enactment of a new law late last year, altering the process of appointing the country’s top election officers, excluding the Chief Justice of India from the selection process.

Reactions Over the Resignation of Arun Goel

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the ramifications of Mr. Goel’s sudden departure, suggesting renaming the Election Commission to “Election OMISSION” given the current circumstances.

Congress general secretary organization KC Venugopal expressed deep concern about the resignation and highlighted worries about government influence on constitutional bodies, referencing Ashok Lavasa’s dissent during the 2019 elections.

Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale voiced concern over the need to fill two vacancies in the poll panel ahead of the general elections.