Gyanesh Kumar Appointed as India’s New Chief Election Commissioner
In a significant political development, Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The government announced this decision late in the evening, confirming that Kumar will succeed Rajiv Kumar, who previously held the position.
Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, has a strong administrative background. He was closely involved with the Union Home Ministry and played a pivotal role in drafting the bill that revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Known for his close ties to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, his appointment has sparked political controversy, with opposition parties—particularly the Congress—raising objections.
As Chief Election Commissioner, Kumar will oversee elections in five key states: West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Assam. Elections in Bihar are scheduled for later this year, while those in the other states are set for 2026. Additionally, he will be responsible for conducting the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, as well as the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in 2027.
His appointment was finalized following a selection committee meeting, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. However, Rahul Gandhi reportedly submitted a note of dissent, expressing concerns about the appointment process.
The controversy arises from the 2023 law governing the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner. Previously, the CEC was appointed by the President on the Prime Minister’s recommendation, with involvement from the Chief Justice of India as mandated by the Supreme Court. The new law, however, has replaced this provision and granted a cabinet minister a role in the selection committee, leading to legal challenges from petitioners who argue that it undermines the neutrality of the process.
Despite these concerns from the opposition, the government moved forward with the appointment, citing the need to avoid a vacancy in the Election Commission. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter soon, but for now, Gyanesh Kumar has assumed office as the Chief Election Commissioner, ready to lead India’s electoral process in the coming years.
