Gyanesh Kumar Appointed as New Chief Election Commissioner of

 Gyanesh Kumar to Oversee Key State Elections in India

Gyanesh Kumar, the senior Election Commissioner, has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner of India, succeeding Rajiv Kumar. As the new Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar will oversee crucial state elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Assam. The Bihar election is scheduled for later this year, while the other states will go to the polls in 2026.

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, will serve as Chief Election Commissioner until January 26, 2029. During his tenure, he will manage 20 Assembly elections, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in 2027, and the preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

His appointment follows a meeting of the Election Committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The Congress party raised objections, citing ongoing legal challenges regarding the Chief Election Commissioner's appointment process in the Supreme Court. The party expressed concerns about the neutrality of the Election Commission.

Gyanesh Kumar is known for his role in drafting the bill that revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 during his tenure at the Union Home Ministry. His close association with Home Minister Amit Shah has also been noted.