Election Commissioner Arun Goel Steps Down

Shakeup in Election Commission Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls

In a surprising turn of events just weeks before the Lok Sabha polls, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has tendered his resignation, which has been promptly accepted by the President. With this resignation, the Election Commission of India finds itself in a precarious position, as it already had a vacancy, leaving only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at the helm.

Speculation had been rife regarding the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, with sources indicating that they were likely to be disclosed next week. However, Mr. Goel’s abrupt departure has cast doubt on this anticipated timeline, raising questions about the commission’s operational capacity.

Mr. Goel, a seasoned bureaucrat from the 1985-batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), opted for voluntary retirement on November 18, 2022. He was swiftly appointed as Election Commissioner a day later. Nevertheless, his appointment wasn’t without controversy, as it faced scrutiny in the Supreme Court. The apex court had sought clarification from the government, questioning the rushed nature of the appointment.

**#ElectionCommission #LokSabhaPolls #Resignation #PoliticalNews #India**