In a significant development in New Delhi, the newly appointed Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu officially assumed their roles on Friday, stepping into their duties at the headquarters of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Welcoming the duo, CEC Rajiv Kumar underscored the momentousness of their induction at this crucial juncture, coinciding with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the world’s largest democracy. He expressed readiness for the dynamic weeks ahead, as the team gears up for the electoral process.
The Central government issued a notification on Thursday evening announcing the appointment of the two Election Commissioners, a decision made by a three-member committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, distinguished bureaucrats, were chosen for the role.
This development follows the recent resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel. The selection panel comprised the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a designated Union Cabinet minister, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury representing the opposition.
In addition to the Prime Minister and the Congress leader, Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the deliberations.