The resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel and the subsequent concerns expressed by political leaders underscore the imperative need for a transparent and impartial appointment process for Election Commissioners. As the nation prepares for the upcoming general elections, it is crucial to ensure that the Election Commission remains an independent and credible institution, capable of conducting elections that uphold democratic principles and reflect the true will of the people.
The circumstances surrounding Goel’s resignation reveal facts that diverge from what is immediately apparent. According to a senior EC official, “It was a surprise; we were caught off-guard.” It is on record that Goel was part of the Commission’s recent visit to Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Notably, Goel was scheduled to travel to Jammu & Kashmir on March 12 and 13, and his tickets for the review had already been booked.
Following the recent trip to West Bengal, Goel did not participate in the EC’s customary end-of-visit press conference, which was addressed by Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner. At the outset of the press conference, an EC official announced that Goel would not be present due to health reasons. Sources indicated that Goel had been unwell since the visit, missing crucial meetings at the EC’s headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan, on Friday, where preparations for the elections were reviewed with Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha. It seems things were not normal in the EC.
Goel’s resignation as Election Commissioner marks only the third instance in the poll watchdog’s history. In 1973, Chief Election Commissioner Nagendra Singh resigned before completing his term to become a judge at the International Court of Justice. The second resignation occurred in August 2020 when Ashok Lavasa quit to join the Asian Development Bank as vice-president. Lavasa, like Goel, had more than two years left in his term and would have retired as CEC in October 2022.
A different perspective on Goel’s resignation suggests that he opted for an exit strategy to address his grievances, thereby relinquishing his responsibility of overseeing a fair and free 2024 election, despite preparations being in advanced stages. It was highly irresponsible on the part of Goel to push for his resignation with the nation ready to undertake the biggest democratic exercise. This move has inadvertently fueled opposition political parties, providing them with ammunition to target the Election Commission, a perennial point of contention.
The untimely resignation of Goel has opened a Pandora’s box, leading to anticipated mudslinging and challenges to the EC’s neutrality. This development may trigger familiar accusations of interference in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and could potentially impact the perception of the EC’s impartiality.
While past records indicate that the Chief Election Commissioner can single-handedly conduct elections, opposition parties are likely to exploit any perceived vulnerability, raising questions about the EC’s autonomy. The Government is cognizant of the potential challenges associated with the EC functioning solely, prompting a high-level panel headed by the Prime Minister to expedite the selection of Election Commissioners. The Opposition member in the panel has been apprised of possible meeting dates before the poll schedule announcement, emphasising the urgency in addressing this critical matter.
In light of the new law on the appointment of Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners introduced last year, a selection committee, comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single-largest opposition party, is tasked with selecting a candidate. The fallout from Goel’s resignation promises further developments in the days to come, adding a layer of complexity to an already unfortunate situation. All said and done, posterity will put Goel in box for failing to discharge his constitutional responsibility at a crucial time.
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