New Delhi [India]: Newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar officially assumed office on Wednesday, emphasizing that voting is the first step toward nation-building.
In his first message to voters, Kumar reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to upholding electoral laws and ensuring every citizen’s right to vote.
“First step for nation-building is voting. Therefore, every citizen of India who has completed 18 years of age should become an elector and should always vote. In accordance with the Constitution of India, electoral laws, rules, and instructions issued therein, the Election Commission of India was, is, and will always be with the voters,” Kumar stated while addressing the media.
New Election Commissioners Assume Office
Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, now leads the three-member Election Commission panel. The panel also includes Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, an IAS officer from the Uttarakhand cadre, and Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch officer from the Haryana cadre. Vivek Joshi also assumed charge as Election Commissioner following the notification issued by the Ministry of Law & Justice on February 17, 2025.
Rajiv Kumar Bids Farewell, Calls ECI “Place of Worship of Democracy”
Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who served as India’s 25th CEC, bid farewell on Tuesday, describing the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a cornerstone of the country’s democracy.
“This building is the place of worship of democracy. Through great hard work, it has amassed heritage in the last 75 years. I am very hopeful that in the time to come, this will rise higher than where it stands today. This is going into very capable hands. The new team will take it even higher,” he told media.
Kumar highlighted the vital role of voters and political parties in strengthening Indian democracy and wished the new leadership success.
“The country’s democracy will remain strong and intact and will earn honor before the world. I hope that people will remember and learn lessons from Indian democracy and Indian elections. The biggest contribution towards this is by the voters and political parties. I wish all the best to everyone, all voters,” he added.
Rajiv Kumar’s Legacy: Electoral Reforms and Successful Polls
According to an official Election Commission statement, Rajiv Kumar joined the ECI as Election Commissioner on September 1, 2020, before assuming charge as Chief Election Commissioner on May 15, 2022. His tenure spanned 4.5 years and was marked by extensive electoral reforms across structural, technological, and administrative domains.
During his leadership, the ECI successfully conducted elections across 31 states and Union Territories, including the Presidential and Vice Presidential polls of 2022, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and Rajya Sabha renewals. The elections were largely peaceful, with minimal repolling and incidents of violence.
With Gyanesh Kumar now at the helm, the Election Commission aims to continue its mission of conducting free, fair, and transparent elections while upholding India’s democratic values.