Gyanesh Kumar becomes the new Chief Election Commissioner

Why in news?

Current Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

Key Points:

• Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988 batch IAS officer.
• Current CEC Rajiv Kumar is retiring today.
• Gyanesh Kumar is the first CEC to be appointed under the new law.
• His term will be till 26 January 2029.
• The appointment was decided in a meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting.
• Vivek Joshi has been appointed as Election Commissioner in the meeting.
  • He is the Chief Secretary of Haryana and a 1989 batch IAS officer.
• Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will continue in his post.

Election Commission of India:

• It is an independent and constitutional body, which conducts free, fair and transparent elections in the country.
• Its provision is mainly made in Article 324 of the Constitution.
• It was established on January 25, 1950 according to the Constitution.
  • This date is celebrated as National Voter's Day.

Structure of Election Commission:

• The Election Commission of India has three main officials:
  • Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
  • Two Election Commissioners (Election Commissioners - ECs)
• Earlier this commission was one-member, but in 1993 it was permanently made a three-member.

Appointment:

• The President appoints the Election Commissioners.
• A committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha recommends it.

Tenure:

• The tenure of the Election Commissioner is 6 years or till the age of 65 years (whichever is earlier).
• The salary and facilities of the CEC and Election Commissioners are equal to that of a Supreme Court judge.

Powers and responsibilities of the Election Commission:

• Article 324 gives the Election Commission the responsibility to conduct free and fair elections.
• Some of its major powers and functions include:
  • Conduct of elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
  • Conduct of elections to the President and Vice President.
  • Granting recognition to political parties and allotment of election symbols.
  • Preparation and monitoring of voter list.
  • Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.
  • Resolving disputes related to the electoral process.