New Delhi [India]: Congress MP KC Venugopal has strongly criticized the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), calling it a decision that goes against the spirit of the Constitution.
In a hasty midnight move, the Government has notified the appointment of the new Central Election Commissioner. This goes against the spirit of our Constitution, and what has been reiterated by the Supreme Court in many cases – for the electoral process to have sanctity, the CEC… https://t.co/tCdF8nPd3W
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) February 17, 2025
Taking to social media platform X, Venugopal accused the ruling government of undermining the electoral process with its “hasty midnight move.”
“In a hasty midnight move, the Government has notified the appointment of the new Central Election Commissioner. This goes against the spirit of our Constitution and what has been reiterated by the Supreme Court in many cases—for the electoral process to have sanctity, the CEC must be an impartial stakeholder,” he posted.
Venugopal further alleged that the government’s urgent decision to finalize the appointment before a Supreme Court order takes effect raises suspicions.
“Their decision to hastily hold the meeting today and appoint the new EC shows they are keen to circumvent the Supreme Court’s scrutiny and get the appointment done before a clear order kicks in. Such egregious behavior only confirms the doubts that many have expressed about how the ruling regime is destroying the electoral process and bending the rules for its benefit,” he added.
The Congress leader also highlighted concerns regarding fake voter lists, election schedules favoring the BJP, and EVM hacking allegations, stating that such incidents raise doubts about the neutrality of the Election Commission.
He asserted that, as pointed out by the Leader of Opposition (LoP), the appointment should have been put on hold until the Supreme Court delivered its verdict.
“As the LoP rightly pointed out, this decision should have been kept aside until the Supreme Court decides the issue in line with the Constitution,” Venugopal stated.
New Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointed
The criticism comes following the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
A notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice stated that President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner, as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in the Election Commission of India, effective February 19, 2025.
The appointment was made under Section 4 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
Additionally, in another notification, the government announced the appointment of Dr. Vivek Joshi as an Election Commissioner, effective from the day he assumes office. Joshi is a 1989 batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre.
These appointments were finalized hours after a meeting of the Selection Committee.
Gyanesh Kumar will succeed Rajiv Kumar, who will step down from the Chief Election Commissioner position on February 18, 2025.