In a shock move weeks before the Lok Sabha polls, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has resigned and his resignation has been accepted by the President.
His resignation comes at a time when the Election Commission (EC) was travelling across the country to review poll preparations and the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections was expected to be announced in a few days.
The Election Commission of India already had a vacancy and will now be left only with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
“In a sudden move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has abruptly resigned. The post of the other EC is vacant. That leaves the Election Commission now with just 1 Chief Election Commissioner. Modi Govt has introduced a new law where Election Commissioners will now be appointed with a majority vote of PM Modi & 1 Minister chosen by him. Ergo, before 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi will now appoint 2 out of the 3 Election Commissioners after today’s resignation. This is VERY VERY concerning,” said Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale.
