Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of Lok Sabha polls

Election Commissioner Arun Goel tendered his resignation on March 9, just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. President Droupadi Murmu has accepted his resignation.

"In pursuance of clause (1) of Section 11 of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 09th March, 2024," the gazette notification read.

Arun Goel, an IAS officer from the 1985 batch, was previously the secretary of the Indian government's ministry of heavy industries.

It is yet unknown why Arun Goel resigned.

His resignation comes at a time the Election Commission was gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, where the BJP is eyeing a comeback for the third time. Teams have been touring states to assess readiness for the election, which is expected to take place in April or May, but the dates have not yet been declared.

There was a vacancy on the three-member Election Commission of India, and Rajiv Kumar will be the only remaining member. Anup Pandey, the Election Commissioner, had retired in February.

The Commission will hold state elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh in addition to the important Lok Sabha elections.