New Delhi:
Arun Goel, the Election Commissioner, submitted his resignation to the President on Saturday, a few days before the Lok Sabha election schedule was revealed. It was planned that he will serve until December 2027, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
The Law Ministry has announced that President Droupadi Murmu has accepted Goel’s resignation, which is effective immediately. The cause of his resignation is still unknown as of right now and nothing has been notified to the media about the cause.
“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 announcement read by the Law Ministry.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar is now the only member of the three-member Election Commission panel remaining after another member Anup Pandey retired in February and subsequently Goel too resigned.
Arun Goel: Who Is He?
Goel, has had a illustrious and privileged background. He who was born in Patiala on December 7, 1962, later he completed his master’s degree in science in mathematics and was given the Chancellors Medal of Excellence for consistently earning the first-class first rank and breaking records in all of his exams. He was an excellent student.
In addition, Arun Goel completed his postgraduate studies in development economics with distinction from Churchill College, University of Cambridge, England.
During his service time, he received his training at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
On November 21, 2022, Arun Goel, a former Punjab-bred Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official, took over as Election Commissioner. At first, his term was supposed to end in 2027. Before being appointed, Goel had been the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ Secretary.
His appointment coincided with several states’ important Assembly elections, including Gujarat’s and was termed as controversial.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) voiced concerns over Goel’s appointment and argued for a more open procedure in choosing India’s Election Commissioner in a Supreme Court case.
“The ADR petition argues that the appointment of Sh. Arun Goel as Election Commissioner, which was announced on November 19, 2022, is arbitrary and violates the Election Commission of India’s independence and institutional integrity. The writ petition is being filed in the public interest to challenge this decision.”
Although it acknowledged the concerns expressed, the Supreme Court decided not to reverse Goel’s appointment.
Even though the court was taken aback by Goel’s decision to voluntarily quit before being appointed to the election commission, it dismissed the ADR’s request without taking any additional action.
Previously, Goel held positions as Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority, and Secretary, Ministry of Culture.
Goel also served as the district election officer for the districts of Bathinda from 1993 to 1994 and Ludhiana from 1995 to 2000.
References :
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-election-commissioner-arun-goel-resigned-due-to-personal-reasons-sources-5210010
- https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/election-commission-chief-arun-goel-resigns-ahead-of-lok-sabha-polls-2512808-2024-03-09
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/apparent-differences-with-chief-election-commissioner-rajiv-kumar-led-to-arun-goels-resignation/article67935195.ece
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/arun-goel-resigns-as-election-commissioner-what-happens-next-101710028489745.html
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/very-concerning-opposition-reacts-to-election-commissioner-arun-goels-sudden-resignation-ahead-of-lok-sabha-polls/articleshow/108355773.cms
