New Delhi: Election Commissioner Arun Goel tendered his resignation on Saturday, just days before the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. His tenure was slated to continue until December 2027.
As per a notification from the Law Ministry, President Droupadi Murmu has accepted Goel's resignation with immediate effect. The reason behind his resignation remains undisclosed at the moment.
"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," the notification read.
With the retirement of Anup Pandey in February and Goel's resignation, the three-member Election Commission panel now comprises solely Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
Who Is Arun Goel?
Born on December 7, 1962, in Patiala, Goel did his Masters in Science in Mathematics and was awarded the Chancellors Medal of Excellence for securing the rank of First Class First and Record Breaker throughout in all the examinations.
He also did his Post Graduation with Distinction in Development Economics from Churchill College, University of Cambridge, England and was trained at John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.
Arun Goel, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Punjab cadre, assumed the role of Election Commissioner on November 21, 2022. His tenure was initially slated to conclude in 2027. Prior to his appointment, Goel had served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
His appointment came amid the lead-up to the crucial Assembly elections in Gujarat and several other states. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) had raised objections, filing a plea in the Supreme Court against Goel’s appointment, advocating for a more transparent process in the selection of the Election Commissioner of India.
READ | Election Commissioner Arun Goel Resigns Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls 2024
“The writ petition is being filed in public interest challenging the appointment of Sh. Arun Goel as Election Commissioner vide notification dated November 19, 2022, on the ground that the appointment is arbitrary and violative of institutional integrity and independence of Election Commission Of India,” the ADR petition stated.
The Supreme Court, while acknowledging the concerns raised, refrained from overturning Goel's appointment. Though the court expressed surprise over Goel's voluntary retirement preceding his induction into the election commission, it ultimately dismissed the ADR's plea without further intervention.
Goel also worked as Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
Goel was also the District Election Officer of Ludhiana district from 1995 to 2000 and Bathinda district from 1993 to 1994.