Ahead of LS polls, Sukhbir Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar appointed as new ECs

March 14, 2024

New Delhi: Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls, the panel led by PM Modi has appointed Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar as election commissioners to Election Commission of India. The panel led by PM Narendra Modi consisted  Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Two positions in the commission were vacant following the recent resignation of EC Arun Goel.

Gyanesh Kumar from Kerala and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu from Punjab selected as election commissioners, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said. On the election, Adhir Ranjan has expressed his dissent saying that procedure followed for selection of the Election Commissioners has some lacunae.

“They (government) have the majority (in the committee that appoints election commissioner). Earlier, they had given me 212 names, but 10 minutes before the appointment they again gave me just six names. I know that the CJI isn’t there, government 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.” Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.

Sources say, the selection committee finally closed on two names, retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The two will join Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on the commission.
Gyanesh Kumar retired as secretary of the cooperation ministry in February, while Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, was former Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand.

On December 12, Rajya Sabha passed a bill to regulate the appointment and service terms of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners. The bill replaces the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.