New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), effective from February 19, 2025. He succeeds Rajiv Kumar, who retired upon reaching the age of 65.
Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, brings a wealth of experience to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Born on January27,1964, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, he holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur and has pursued studies in Business Finance at ICFAI and Environmental Economics at Harvard University.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kumar has held several key positions, including:
- Cooperation Secretary of India: Oversaw significant reforms in the cooperative sector, such as the enactment of the Multi-state Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act,2023, and the establishment of national cooperative bodies like the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited.
- Parliamentary Affairs Secretary of India: Facilitated legislative processes and coordination between the government and parliament.
- Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs: Played a pivotal role in managing Jammu and Kashmir affairs during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Kumar’s tenure as an Election Commissioner began on March 14,2024. His appointment as CEC follows the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which outlines the selection process. The selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Home minister Amit Shah, convened to finalize his appointment.
The appointment process has sparked controversy, with the Congress party urging the government to defer the selection until the Supreme Court hears a petition challenging the revised appointment process for the CEC and election commissioners. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, alleging that the government seeks to control the Election Commission rather than maintain its credibility.
As CEC, Gyanesh Kumar will oversee the conduct of elections across India, ensuring they are free, fair, and transparent. His term is set to run until January 26,2029.
In related developments, Vivek Joshi, former Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner, has been appointed as an Election Commissioner, filling the vacancy created by Kumar’s elevation. The current Election Commission now comprises CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioner’s Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The Election Commission of India, established in 1950, is a constitutionally mandated body responsible for administering electoral processes in the country. The Commission ensures the conduct of free and fair elections to the national and state legislatures, as well as the offices of the President and Vice-President.
Gyanesh Kumar’s extensive administrative experience and prior involvement with the Election Commission position him well to lead the institution in upholding India’s democratic processes.
Dhanya Reddy S
Alma Media School Student
