“In pursuance of clause (1) of Section 11 of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 09th March, 2024,” the gazette notification issued on Saturday read.
Only CEC left in panel
The three-member Election Commission of India already had a vacancy and will now be left only with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. Election Commissioner Anup Pandey had retired in February.
Goel is a retired 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to the Punjab cadre.
On November 19, 2022, he was appointed as Election Commissioner of India and assumed charge on November 21, 2022.
The reason for Arun Goel’s resignation is not yet known. His tenure was to end in 2027.
‘Very, very concerning’
Reacting to the development, Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale said this is “very very concerning”.
“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 said on X.
(This is a developing story)