Wed Feb 19 09:58:55 UTC 2025: ## New Chief Election Commissioner Emphasizes Importance of Voting in Nation Building
**New Delhi, Feb 19 (ANI):** Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, assumed charge as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday. In his first address, Kumar stressed the crucial role of voting in nation building, urging all eligible citizens to participate in the democratic process. He assured voters of the Election Commission’s continued commitment to upholding constitutional principles and electoral laws.
Kumar succeeds Rajiv Kumar, who completed his term as CEC on Tuesday. Rajiv Kumar praised the Election Commission as a “place of worship of democracy,” expressing confidence in the new leadership and highlighting the vital contributions of voters and political parties in strengthening Indian democracy. His tenure oversaw a full electoral cycle, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with remarkably peaceful conduct.
Vivek Joshi, a 1989 batch IAS officer from the Haryana cadre, also assumed charge as an Election Commissioner on the same day. The Election Commission now consists of Kumar, Joshi, and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu (Uttarakhand cadre).
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