Wed Feb 19 07:02:05 UTC 2025: ## Veteran IAS Officer Takes Helm as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner

**NEW DELHI** – Gyansesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer, assumed charge as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday. His appointment marks a significant moment, as he is the first CEC appointed under the newly enacted law governing the selection process. His tenure will last until January 26, 2029. He succeeds Rajiv Kumar, who retired on February 18th.

Kumar’s four-year term will oversee elections in 20 states and one union territory (Puducherry), starting with Bihar and concluding with Mizoram. Simultaneously, Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer and former Haryana Chief Secretary, was appointed as an Election Commissioner. Sukhbinder Singh Sandhu will continue as an Election Commissioner.

These appointments were finalized on February 17th during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. However, the appointments have been met with controversy.

**Opposition Raises Concerns:**

Rahul Gandhi reportedly refused to consider the names proposed for the CEC position and issued a dissent note, citing the Supreme Court’s pending hearing on the matter. He criticized the midnight appointment as disrespectful and highlighted concerns about the executive’s influence on the selection process, particularly the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi echoed these sentiments, arguing that the government should have awaited the Supreme Court’s decision before making the appointments. The party claimed this action undermines the Election Commission’s credibility and independence.

Despite the opposition’s concerns, the government proceeded with the appointments. The constitution does not specify the number of Election Commissioners, though currently, the commission consists of the CEC and two Election Commissioners.

The new CEC, in his first statement, emphasized the importance of voting as a fundamental duty for every eligible citizen. He reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws.

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