New Delhi: Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Election Commissioner Arun Goel tendered his resignation, which was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday.
The resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel comes amid intense preparations for the Lok Sabha polls by the Election Commission of India.
Goel’s resignation has resulted the Election Commission to be solely under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, with no other election commissioners.
The acceptance of Goel’s resignation was in accordance with Section 11(1) of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, as stated in the gazette notification issued on Saturday, effective from March 9, 2024.
Arun Goel assumed the role of election commissioner on November 21, 2022. A 1985 batch IAS officer, Arun Goel previously held the position of secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industry, Government of India.
The reason behind the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel remains undisclosed.
While the election dates are yet to be announced, teams have been assessing the readiness across states for the elections anticipated to take place around April-May.
On Friday, the Election Commission conducted a security meeting with officials from the Union Home Ministry and Indian Railways to strategize the deployment and movement of security personnel nationwide.
In addition to the crucial Lok Sabha election, the Election Commission is tasked with overseeing state elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh.
In 2019, the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and conducted in seven phases from April 11, with the counting of votes taking place on May 23.
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