Days after Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned from the publish forward of the Lok Sabha polls, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday (March 11) to restrain the Centre from appointing Chief Election Commissioner and different Election Commissioners. The plea was filed citing the Sections 7 and eight of the Chief Election Commissioner and different Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and phrases of Office Act 2023. Sections 7 and eight lay down the process for the appointment of ECI members.
Earlier, sources stated that the appointment of two commissioners in the Election Commission Of India will probably be made by March 15. The two positions in the ballot panel had been created after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the shock resignation of Arun Goel.
The plea in the highest court docket additionally sought route to appoint member of Election Commission as per Supreme Court judgment which had directed the structure of a committee consisting of the CJI, the PM, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha for appointment.
Arun Goel resigns
Days earlier than the schedule of Lok Sabha elections be introduced, Goel, one in every of two commissioners of ballot panel on Friday morning, resigned triggereing political outrage. Goel’s resignation leaves Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as the only member of the ballot authority.
His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday and the Law Ministry issued a notification to announce it. Pandey had demitted workplace on February 14 on attaining the age of 65 years.
Goel didn’t attend the essential assembly between the EC and high dwelling ministry and railway officers to agency up deployment and motion of central forces throughout India for ballot obligation.
Goel was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He had joined the Election Commission in November 2022. His tenure was until December 5, 2027, and he would have turn into Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February subsequent 12 months.
(With ANI inputs)
