- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Gyanesh Kumar has officially taken over as the new Chief Election Commissioner and emphasized the importance of voting as the first step in nation-building. In his address to voters, he urged all citizens aged 18 and above to register and participate in elections, affirming that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is committed to supporting voters in line with the Constitution and electoral laws.
Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, leads a three-member panel that includes fellow commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the latter also newly appointed following a Gazette notification from the Ministry of Law & Justice dated February 17, 2025. Joshi is a 1989-batch IAS officer from Haryana.
In related news, Rajiv Kumar, the former Chief Election Commissioner who served as the 25th CEC, bid farewell to the ECI on Tuesday, referring to it as “the place of worship of democracy.” He expressed confidence that the institution will continue to thrive under the new leadership, highlighting the crucial roles of voters and political parties in enhancing India’s democracy and wishing all voters the best.
Rajiv Kumar had been with the ECI since September 1, 2020, and became CEC on May 15, 2022. His 4.5-year tenure was marked by significant reforms in various areas, including structural and technological advancements, communication, and international cooperation. During his time, he oversaw a complete electoral cycle, conducting elections in 31 states and Union Territories, as well as the Presidential and Vice Presidential elections in 2022 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, all with minimal disruptions and violence, as reported by the Commission.
