New Delhi:
Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner, taking over the role on Monday following the conclusion of Rajiv Kumar’s term on February 18.
The former IAS officer from the Kerala cadre was selected by a panel consisting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
With an extensive career, Kumar has served as Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and retired as Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation under Amit Shah. He belongs to the 1988 batch of the Kerala cadre and has had a significant influence in key areas. Notably, Kumar played a pivotal role in establishing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust during his tenure at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He also oversaw the Jammu and Kashmir desk at the MHA when Article 370 was rendered ineffective in 2019.
Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will conclude on January 26, 2029. His appointment, however, comes amidst strong objections from the Congress party regarding the timing of the meeting held on Monday to appoint the CEC.
The Congress party raised concerns, arguing that the meeting should have been postponed until the Supreme Court issues its final verdict on the formation of a selection panel. The party pointed out that the Supreme Court had scheduled the matter for hearing on February 19, and a decision would be made regarding the composition of the committee.
Congress leaders specifically took issue with the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the newly passed Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the government for attempting to exclude the CJI from the panel, suggesting that this move signaled a desire for control over the Election Commission while undermining its credibility.
Singhvi emphasized that credibility was the cornerstone of the Election Commission’s integrity, and by sidelining the CJI in the appointment process, the government appeared to prioritize control over the institution’s independence.
