NEW DELHI: India’s Election Commission faces upheaval as Arun Goel, the second-highest ranked official, resigns just days before the anticipated announcement of general elections, leaving the commission with one top official to oversee the massive democratic exercise.
Goel’s resignation, accepted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, comes amid speculation about the timing and reasons behind his departure, with reports citing “personal reasons” as the cause.
The unexpected vacancy raises concerns about the commission’s capacity to manage the upcoming elections, set to involve nearly a billion eligible voters and likely to be held in April-May.
While the Ministry of Law and Justice has not provided a specific reason for Goel’s resignation, opposition figures like K.C. Venugopal of the Congress party express apprehension about the timing and transparency of the commission’s functioning.
Amidst Goel’s departure, the absence of a replacement for another retired official further complicates the commission’s structure and operations.
Despite the internal challenges, opinion polls continue to indicate a favorable outlook for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with surveys suggesting strong support for Modi and the BJP across various demographics.
The resignation of a key election commission official raises questions about the integrity and effectiveness of India’s electoral process, particularly as the country prepares for one of the largest democratic exercises in history.
