Rajeev Kumar Announces Retirement Plans Following Successful Election Oversight
PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi to Decide New Chief Election Commissioner’s Appointment, Meeting Likely Soon
The Ministry of Law has called for a meeting of a three-member committee on February 17, 2025, to select the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). This committee will be composed of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The decision comes as the current CEC, Rajeev Kumar, is set to complete his tenure on February 18, 2025. The meeting will be crucial for selecting a new CEC for the upcoming election processes.
Formation of the Search Committee
The search committee, under the leadership of Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, also includes the Secretary of the Finance Department and the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training. Previously, the senior-most Election Commissioner was appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner. However, after the introduction of a new law governing the appointments of CEC and Election Commissioners in 2023, the selection process has undergone changes.
Rajeev Kumar’s Tenure and Achievements
Rajeev Kumar was appointed as Chief Election Commissioner in May 2022, in accordance with the new provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner (Appointment, Terms of Service, and Tenure) Act, 2023. Under his leadership, the Election Commission successfully conducted the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and held assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first time in over a decade. Elections were also held in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Delhi during his tenure.
Rajeev Kumar Announces Retirement Plans
In 2023, under Rajeev Kumar’s supervision, elections were held in Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Following the announcement of the dates for Delhi’s elections in January 2025, Rajeev Kumar shared his plans for retirement. He humorously mentioned that after working for 13-14 years without a break, he intends to spend four to five months in the Himalayas after retiring, leading a life of solitude, detoxification, and meditation.
