Tue Feb 18 09:22:22 UTC 2025: ## Gyanesh Kumar Appointed New Chief Election Commissioner Amidst Controversy

**New Delhi** – Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), succeeding Rajiv Kumar who retired on February 18th. The appointment, however, has been met with opposition. The selection committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, finalized the decision on Monday evening. While Modi and Shah approved Kumar’s nomination, Gandhi voiced his dissent, urging a postponement until a Supreme Court hearing on the appointment process scheduled for Wednesday.

Kumar, a 1988 batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, is the first CEC appointed under the newly amended law governing the appointment of election commissioners. This new law replaces the Chief Justice of India with the Home Minister in the selection committee.

Before his appointment, Kumar served as an additional secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs during the revocation of Article 370, playing a key role in drafting the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. He also held key positions including Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs and Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, where he oversaw the implementation of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) (Amendment) Act, 2023.

Dr. Vivek Joshi has also been appointed as an Election Commissioner. Kumar’s term as CEC will last until January 26, 2029, a period encompassing numerous crucial elections, including 20 Assembly elections, the 2027 Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections, and preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

The appointment comes amidst ongoing speculation about the BJP’s new national president, as JP Nadda’s term concludes. Discussions are focused on strengthening the party’s presence in South India, potentially leading to the selection of a president from the region. Names like Prahlad Joshi, Kishan Reddy, and K. Laxman are being considered.

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