On Tuesday, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the appointment process of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, questioning the Modi government’s decision to exclude the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee.
He stated that the government’s decision to disregard the Supreme Court order and exclude the Chief Justice from the selection committee has “exacerbated the concerns of hundreds of millions of voters over the integrity of our electoral process.”
The government named Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner on 17 February, succeeding Rajiv Kumar.
As a member of the selection committee, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi submitted a formal dissent note, describing the process as ‘disrespectful and discourteous’.
Govt Undermining Electoral Integrity: Rahul Gandhi
Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi shared, “By violating the Supreme Court order and removing the Chief Justice of India from the committee, the Modi Government has exacerbated the concerns of hundreds of millions of voters over the integrity of our electoral process.”
He further asserted that it is his responsibility to uphold the values of Babasaheb Ambedkar and hold the government accountable.
“As the LoP it is my duty to uphold the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the founding leaders of our nation and hold the government to account. It is both disrespectful and discourteous for the PM and HM to have made a midnight decision to select the new CEC, when the very composition of the committee and the process is being challenged in the Supreme Court and is due to be heard in less than forty-eight hours,” the note further added.
During the meeting of the committee to select the next Election Commissioner, I presented a dissent note to the PM and HM, that stated: The most fundamental aspect of an independent Election Commission free from executive interference is the process of choosing the Election… pic.twitter.com/JeL9WSfq3X
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 18, 2025
Gyanesh Kumar Becomes Senior-Most EC After Rajiv Kumar’s Retirement
Meanwhile, outgoing CEC Rajiv Kumar will likely retire today.
Following his retirement, Gyanesh Kumar will be the senior-most Election Commissioner, with a tenure lasting until 26 January 2029.
The central government had earlier formed a search committee before finalizing the appointment.
As per procedure, the President appoints the CEC and Election Commissioners based on recommendations from the selection committee.
The Congress party has strongly opposed the selection process, urging the government to postpone the decision, citing an ongoing Supreme Court case on the appointment of the previous CEC.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the government, arguing that the new process undermines neutrality and credibility.
“Removing or trying to keep the Chief Justice out of the appointment (of CEC) process as an independent entity, the government has made it clear, they want only control but not credibility. The most important thing for the Election Commission is credibility,” Singhvi remarked.
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