Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner, effective from February 19, 2025. The Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification confirming the appointment, stating that President Droupadi Murmu approved it under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Additionally, Dr. Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Haryana cadre, has been appointed as an Election Commissioner, with his tenure beginning once he assumes office. The announcement followed a meeting of the Selection Committee.
Gyanesh Kumar succeeds Rajiv Kumar, who will step down from his role as Chief Election Commissioner on February 18. Rajiv Kumar, who joined the Election Commission of India as an Election Commissioner in September 2020, later took charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner on May 15, 2022. Under his leadership, several initiatives were implemented to enhance voter participation, particularly among marginalized communities, such as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and third-gender individuals, aiming for a more inclusive electoral process.
In his farewell address, Rajiv Kumar expressed gratitude to 15 million polling officials for their dedication to upholding democracy. He personally reached out to over 2.5 lakh centenarian voters, acknowledging their contributions to the electoral process. His tenure also saw efforts to increase youth and urban voter engagement, including the establishment of polling stations in high-rise societies to counter voter apathy. His initiatives aimed to make elections more accessible and participatory for all sections of society.
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