Arun Goel, a former IAS officer from the Punjab cadre, has been chosen to serve as the election commissioner. On November 19, 2022, the appointment made by Droupadi Murmu, President of India, was announced by the Minister of Law and Justice. He will start working there on November 21.
The President is pleased to name Arun Goel, IAS (Retd.) (PB: 1985) as the Election Commissioner in the Election Commission, effective as of the day he starts office, according to the official notice.
Arun Goel voluntarily left his position as Secretary for Heavy Industries. He will work for the Election Commission with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey.
Who is Arun Goel?
Arun Goel is a 1985-class Punjab Cadre officer. He has held the positions of Heavy Industries Secretary, Union Culture Minister, and Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority.
Goel was supposed to retire on December 31, 2022, however, he voluntarily retired on November 18.
As soon as Arun Goel accepts the job of Election Commissioner, he would be eligible to succeed Rajiv Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner in February 2025.
A person may occupy the position of Election Commissioner or Chief Election Commissioner for six years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first, in accordance with the legislation governing their appointment, terms of service, and retirement. Arun Goel will hold office till the end of 2027.
Election Commissioner’s Duties
Sushil Chandra, the previous Chief Election Commissioner, retired in May 2022, giving Rajiv Kumar control.
Since then, the election panel has only had two members and has dealt with a number of pressing matters, including calls for Jharkhand’s Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, to be removed from office.
When the election calendar for Meghalaya, Nagaland, Karnataka, and Tripura is decided in the upcoming months, the poll panel will be at its strongest.
