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India: Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of Lok Sabha polls, president accepts resignation

India: Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of Lok Sabha polls, president accepts resignation

Election Commissioner Arun Goel

Election Commissioner Arun Goel on Saturday (Mar 9) quit from his position, weeksahead of India's Lok Sabha elections.

His resignation was accepted by the President Droupadi Murmu with immediate effect.

With Goel’s resignation, the three-member Election Commission of Indianow has only Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar. There was already a vacancy after Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey retired last month.

"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,"an official statement from the Ministry of Law and Justice read.

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The development comesdays ahead of the vote dates announcement, which is expected to take place next week.Goel assumed charge as Election Commissioner (EC) of India in 2022.

An Indian Administrative Service officer of 1985 batch from the Punjab cadre,Goel had superannuated as Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industry, Govt of India after more than 37 years of service before joining the EC.

He previously worked as Secretary, Ministry of Culture; Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority; Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place in April-May 2024.

(With inputs from agencies)