New Delhi

Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Sandhu were appointed as two new election commissioners of India, a government notification said on Thursday (Mar 14). 

Advertisment

Both Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Sandhu are former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.

The government notification came hours after Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that two new election commissioners were chosen by a panel led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as a notification was awaited. Ranjan is the opposition member in the panel.

The development comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, scheduled for this summer.

Advertisment

Chowdhury told reporters that the Centre has the majority in the panel who appoints the election commissioners.

"Earlier, they had given me 212 names, but 10 minutes before the appointment they again gave me just six names," Chowdhury said.

"I know that the CJI (Chief Justice of India) isn't there, govt has made such a law that the CJI doesn't interfere and the Central govt can choose a favourable name. I am not saying that it's arbitrary but the procedure that is being followed has some lacunae," he added and pointed out that the CJI should have been a part of the panel. 

Advertisment

×

Last week, Arun Goel stepped down from the election commissioner's post, and his resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu.

Goel had assumed charge of the post on November 21, 2022.

A statement from the Indian law ministry said, "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 09th March 2024."

(With inputs from agencies)