Appointed on Thursday by the administration of Narendra Modi, SS Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar have assumed roles as Election Commissioners. Both individuals boast backgrounds in civil service.
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, a former IAS official, previously served as the 17th Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand. He assumed the role during the BJP’s ascendancy to power, under the leadership of the then Chief Minister, Pushkar. Furthermore, Sandhu held the position of chairman at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). His professional tenure includes serving as an additional secretary in the Department of Higher Education within the Ministry of Human Resources Development.
Sandhu’s educational journey includes attaining an MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Amritsar, alongside acquiring a Master’s Degree in History from Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. Additionally, he fulfilled duties as Commissioner of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.
Gyanesh Kumar, also a retired IAS official, contributed significantly to the establishment of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust during his tenure at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Notably, he spearheaded operations pertaining to the Jammu and Kashmir desk at the MHA in 2019, coinciding with the revocation of Article 370 in the region. His service culminated with his role as Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation, a portfolio held by prominent BJP figure, Amit Shah.
The appointment of Sandhu and Kumar to the Election Commissioner positions was made by a panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also on board.
In the lead-up to the anticipated announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections schedule, Arun Goel, the Election Commissioner, tendered his resignation on February 9. This development raised eyebrows among opposition factions and civil society groups. Goel’s tenure was set to extend until December 5, 2027, with his ascension to the role of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) slated for February of the following year, following the retirement of incumbent Rajiv Kumar.