High-ranking Indian EC official quits amidst govt pressure
New Delhi: As India’s general elections are around the corner, Arun Goel, the second-highest-ranking official of the Election Commission of India, has tendered his resignation.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the unexpected departure leaves the Commission with just one top official to oversee the monumental electoral process that is expected to engage nearly a billion voters.
The Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed Goel’s resignation without specifying the reasons behind it, fueling speculation and concern about the integrity of the electoral process. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi eyeing a third term, the timing of Goel’s departure raises questions about potential government interference.
K.C. Venugopal, the general secretary of the main opposition Congress party, expressed deep apprehension over Goel’s resignation, highlighting the lack of transparency surrounding the functioning of constitutional institutions like the Election Commission. He pointedly accused the government of exerting undue pressure on the Commission, further stirring debate and scrutiny over the state of India’s democracy.
As the nation awaits the announcement of election dates, Goel’s resignation underscores the delicate balance between political power and institutional independence, casting a shadow over the democratic process ahead.
