Wed Feb 19 05:47:54 UTC 2025: ## Controversial Appointment of New Chief Election Commissioner Sparks Outrage

**New Delhi** – Gyanesh Kumar assumed the post of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday morning, succeeding Rajiv Kumar. His four-year term will oversee numerous state and presidential elections. The appointment, however, has been met with significant controversy.

Kumar, a former IAS officer from the Kerala cadre with a background in the Home Ministry under Amit Shah, previously worked on drafting the bill revoking Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. In his inaugural remarks, he emphasized the importance of voter participation.

The Congress party, and specifically Rahul Gandhi, vehemently opposed Kumar’s selection. Gandhi, a member of the three-person committee responsible for choosing the CEC, submitted a dissent note, citing concerns about the committee’s composition and its potential bias towards the ruling party. He argues the government’s actions violate a Supreme Court order that stipulated the Chief Justice of India’s inclusion on the selection committee. The government bypassed this by amending the law to remove the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the constitutionality of the selection process later today.

Gandhi criticized the “midnight decision” as undermining the integrity of the electoral process and disrespecting the Supreme Court. He asserted that the process of selecting the CEC is crucial for maintaining an independent Election Commission free from executive interference.

Adding to the controversy, Dr. Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Haryana cadre, was appointed as the third Election Commissioner on Wednesday.

The appointment of Kumar as CEC, amidst these legal and political challenges, raises serious questions about the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission.

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