The Central government on Monday announced the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will be replacing Rajiv Kumar.
Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre and is senior to the two other commissioners on the three-member panel that was led by Rajiv Kumar.
The other commissioner on the panel is Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, an officer from the Uttarakhand cadre and Vivek Joshi.
The government also announced the appointment of Vivek Joshi as Election Commissioner.
Joshi has been the former Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner.
Earlier, a three-member selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Monday to pick the successor of outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar who is set to retire on February 18.
PM Modi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, nominated by the Prime Minister, attended the selection committee meeting.
This is the first appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Act, 2023 which came into force in December 2023.
S.S. Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar were appointed as Election Commissioners under this provision in March 2024.
The two commissioners were appointed to fill vacancies created following the resignation of Arun Goel and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey.
Meanwhile, Rajiv Kumar joined ECI as Election Commissioner on September 1, 2020, and assumed charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner of India on May 15, 2022.
His tenure spanning 4.5 years in the Commission was characterised by silent yet deep-rooted reforms across various domains spanning structural, technological, capacity development, communication, international cooperation and administration.
Kumar during his tenure has completed one full electoral cycle with the conduct of elections in 31 States/UTs, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections 2022, Lok Sabha elections 2024 and Rajya Sabha renewals -a rare and monumental feat in electoral management. The elections were conducted peacefully with near-zero repolls and incidents of violence.
Tripura Govt contemplating to boost tourism: Minister Sushanta Chowdhury
The state transport and tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Thursday said that the government is contemplating to make tourism as an alternate means of livelihood in the state. Adequate fund has been allocated for further developing the tourism sector, he added.
Imports from B’desh to Tripura increase, exports largely decline: Minister
Imports from Bangladesh into Tripura increased but exports from the northeastern state of India to the neighbouring country substantially declined, state Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma told the Assembly on Thursday.
67 percent households in AMC areas connected with drinking water supply: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday claimed that at least 67% households were connected with drinking water supply in the areas of Agartala Municipal Corporation.
Boy drowns in Muhuri River during Baruni bathing ritual
In a tragic incident, Sayan Pal (18), a 12th-standard student from Arya Colony, Belonia, drowned in the Muhuri River while participating in the holy Baruni bathing ritual on Wednesday afternoon.
Innovative projects launched to supply drinking water from Dumbur: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that several innovative projects have been set up based on the reserved water of the Dumbur water reservoir, making it possible to provide drinking water connections to many families through pipelines.
Govt undertaken measures to increase Howrah river’s navigability: Tripura CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the state government has undertaken a series of measures to permanently address flooding in Agartala city by increasing the navigability of the Howrah River.
Tripura Assembly witnesses spat over minister's 'racist' remark against LoP
The Tripura Assembly witnessed a noisy scene for the fourth day on Thursday over Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath's alleged racist remarks against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury.
Centre Releases Rs 240.5 Crore to Tripura for Urban Planning Reforms
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that the Ministry of Finance has released Rs 240.5 crores to Tripura for achieving urban planning reforms.