PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi to meet on Feb 17 for discussion over next Chief Election Commissioner pick

CEC Rajiv Kumar is scheduled to retire on February 18

A meeting to appoint the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is scheduled for February 17, News18 reported citing sources. Gyanesh Kumar has emerged as a frontrunner for the position, the report added.

Incumbent CEC Rajiv Kumar is set to retire on February 18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will attend the meeting.

Five names have reportedly been shortlisted from over 480 candidates for the said post by the search panel.

Who is Gyanesh Kumar?

Gyanesh Kumar took charge as Election Commissioner in Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 15, 2024. He is a 1988-batch Kerala cadre officer of the Indian Administrative Service, according to the official ECI website.

He has worked in the Government of Kerala in various roles. As Secretary to the Government of Kerala, he has handled diverse departments such as finance resources, fast track projects, public works department, modernising government program, and food, civil supplies and consumer affairs.

ln the Government of India, he has rich experience of working as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation.