X: @the_news_21
Former bureaucrats Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar have been appointed as the new election commissioners, according to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who addressed reporters after a panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi finalized the decision on Thursday.
Chowdhury revealed that six names were considered by the panel for the selection of two election commissioners, with Sandhu and Kumar being chosen by a majority of the members. The panel, however, faced criticism for the absence of the Chief Justice of India and the lack of clarity regarding the shortlisting process of the candidates.
The six shortlisted candidates included Utpal Kumar Singh, Pradeep Kumar Tripathi, Gyanesh Kumar, Indevar Pandey, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, and Sudhir Kumar Gangadhar Rahate, all former bureaucrats. Ultimately, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu emerged as the final selections for the coveted positions.
Notably, Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure in the Home ministry was marked by overseeing the abrogation of Article 370, highlighting his experience in handling significant constitutional matters.
The vacancies arose following the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14 and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel, prompting the need for new appointments to ensure the seamless functioning of the Election Commission.
