Jobaaj Stories
Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, taking over from Rajiv Kumar. As CEC, Gyanesh Kumar will manage upcoming elections in five states: Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Assam. Bihar's election is expected later this year, and the rest will be in 2026.
Who is Gyanesh Kumar?
Gyanesh Kumar is a senior officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of the 1988 batch and belongs to the Kerala cadre. Before becoming CEC, he worked in the Union Home Ministry and played a key role in the law that ended Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. He is known to be close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
His Responsibilities and Term
Gyanesh Kumar's role as CEC will last until January 26, 2029. During his tenure, he will be responsible for overseeing 20 state elections, the President and Vice-President elections in 2027, and preparing for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Controversy Over His Appointment
The announcement of his appointment came after a meeting of top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Congress raised concerns about the appointment, claiming the government wants to control the Election Commission.
There is also a legal issue. The process of appointing the CEC has been challenged in the Supreme Court, which will hear the case soon.
How Are Chief Election Commissioners Chosen?
In the past, the President of India appointed the CEC based on the Prime Minister's advice. The senior-most Election Commissioner usually got the position. But in 2023, a new law was passed, changing the process.
Now, a committee led by the law minister shortlists five candidates, and the final decision is made by the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and a Cabinet Minister. The new law removed the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection committee, which many think affects the fairness of the process. This change is also being questioned in the Supreme Court.
Why This Matters
Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment is important because he will oversee major elections in India. However, the controversy over how he was selected raises concerns about the Election Commission’s independence. People are watching to see how the Supreme Court handles the legal challenges related to his appointment.
