Resignation of an Election Commissioner on Eve of General Elections Ominous: Yechury

New Delhi: Expressing alarm at the sudden resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel on Saturday just days ahead of the announcement of general elections, the CPI(M) has asked the Centre to come out with a “clear statement” on the circumstances that led to his resignation. Goel’s tenure was till December 2027.

“The Credibility of the EC in conducting the Constitutionally mandated free & fair elections ensuring a level playing field cannot be compromised,” said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The three-member Election Commission of India (ECI), entrusted with ensuring free and fair elections, was left with just the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The other Election Commissioner Anup Pandey retired last month. His post had not been filled yet. The dates for the Lok Sabha elections were expected to be announced in mid-March.

In a statement, the polit bureau of the Communist party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) said the vacancies in the ECI ahead of the massive exercise of the Lok Sabha elections, had created an “atmosphere of uncertainty”. It urged the Centre to come out with a “clear statement on the circumstances” that led to this situation.

“With the new law on appointment of ECs, the composition of the Election Commission is under complete control of the government,” adding that the situation raised concerns that need to be addressed so that the constitutional entity can conduct “free and fair polls”.

It may be recalled that the Opposition parties had vehemently opposed the new law on appointment of CEC and ECs brought by the Narendra Modi government last year. As per the new law, the Chief Justice of India’s name, as was removed from the selection committee to pick names for the posts. The committee is headed by the Prime Minister and consists of Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the PM and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single-largest Opposition party in the House. The names would then be sent to the President for ratifications.

In its landmark ruling to ensure an independent EC, the Supreme Court had in March 2023, using its powers under Article 142 (to issue directions for doing ‘complete justice’ in any matter), had said that the CEC and ECs shall be appointed by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the CJI and the Leader of the Opposition or the largest opposition party in Lok Sabha.

The resignation of Goel, citing “health concerns” while cutting short his visit to West Bengal to oversee poll preparations, comes ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on a plea by the State Bank of India on the unconstitutional electoral bonds. The SBI has sought more time to furnish the names of donors, missing the deadline of March 6 set by the top court.