“The franchise is a precious right, constituting the most potent non-violent instrument within a democratic society, and it behooves us to wield it,” proclaimed civil rights luminary John Lewis, exhorting civil society to exercise their voting privileges during the recent electoral campaign to nominate Democratic and Republican candidates for the forthcoming American election later this year. Drawing from Lewis’s impassioned call, the Election Commission of India is diligently preparing to oversee one of the largest democratic exercises in the coming months.
The electoral process in India encountered a minor setback when Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned a few days ago. However, the government swiftly acted, adhering to prescribed procedures, and appointed Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as new election commissioners to assist Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in orchestrating an extensive electoral endeavor.
Assuming their responsibilities on Friday, March 15, the newly appointed election commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, were warmly welcomed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who underscored the significance of their induction at this historic juncture as the ECI prepares to oversee the General Elections of 2024 in the world’s most populous democracy.
Former bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, both seasoned officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the 1988 batch, possess profound insights into administrative intricacies and systemic challenges. They have each played pivotal roles in steering governmental initiatives and policy implementations.
Gyanesh Kumar, a dynamic bureaucrat, played a crucial role in the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, transitioning it from a state to a union territory, thereby diluting the dominance of the Abdullah and Mufti families in the region.
Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, known for his visionary leadership, demonstrated meticulous oversight in expediting national highway projects under the aegis of Nitin Gadkari’s Ministry. Both Kumar and Sandhu bring a wealth of experience and accomplishment to their new roles as Election Commissioners, reflecting the symbiotic relationship between their careers and governance imperatives.
Notably, Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure in the Home Ministry coincided with the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status in 2019, during which he played a pivotal role in drafting the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019.
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, on the other hand, has left an indelible mark in various domains, including his tenure as Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), where his unwavering commitment earned commendations from Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Meanwhile Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, in his first reaction to the abrupt resignation of election commissioner Arun Goel said the panel respects if he had “personal reasons” to quit. Rajiv Kumar, flanked by two new election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, was responding to reporters after announcing the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Describing Arun Goel as a “distinguished team member”, Rajiv Kumar said, “There will always be dissent in the Election Commission of India. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him all the time. But in every institution, somebody will have to be given personal space … one should not be insensitive to ask personal questions. If he had personal reasons…it is fine, you must respect it.” Finally, all is well that ends well. In the spirit of collaboration and unity espoused by Henry Ford, the Election Commission aspires to realise its mission through cohesive teamwork. With the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the Election Commission is poised to meet the challenges of conducting a free and fair 2024 election with utmost diligence and integrity.
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