Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 9: Just as his appointment was shrouded in mystery, so is his resignation. Just days before the Lok Sabha election schedules are expected to be announced next week, Mr Arun Goel on Saturday resigned as the Election Commissioner crippling the Election Commission of India down to one-man show.
Mr Goel’s tenure was due to last till 2027 but quit the office nearly three years ahead of the schedule. His resignation was also promptly accepted by the President of India Droupadi Murmu.
“In pursuance of clause (1) of Section 11 of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 09th March, 2024,” a gazette notification by the Union Law and Justice Ministry said on Saturday.
As per clause (1) of Section 11 of the law, the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner may, at any time, resign from office by giving it in writing to the President.
Mr Goel’s resignation comes at a time when the three-member Commission was already down to two after the retirement of Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey in February. With Goel’s resignation being accepted, it leaves only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in the panel.
Mr Goel’s appointment as EC sparked a controversy as he was the Union Heavy Industries Secretary when he took voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Services on November 18, 2022. A day later, the 1985-batch IAS officer was appointed to the Commission.
His appointment had been challenged in the Supreme Court, which had asked the government what the “tearing hurry” was. Minister of Law picks up four names from the list of names shortlisted… The file was put up on November 18; moves the same day. Even PM recommends the name on the same day. We don’t want any confrontation, but was this done in any haste? What’s the tearing hurry,” the court had asked.