Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have been appointed as Election Commissioners in the Election Commission of India. This comes at a crucial time as the commission is gearing up for the General Elections 2024 in the world's largest democracy. The two commissioners, who have decades of experience in the Indian Administrative Service, were welcomed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who emphasized the importance of their appointment.
Appointment of Two New Election Commissioners in India
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently appointed two new Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. This appointment comes at a crucial time as the commission prepares for the upcoming General Elections in 2024.
Background
The ECI is an independent constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India. It is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners. The current CEC is Rajiv Kumar.
Gyanesh Kumar
Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
Appointment Process
The new Election Commissioners were appointed by President Droupadi Murmu on the recommendation of the CEC. Their appointments have been widely welcomed by political parties and civil society groups.
Significance
The appointment of two new Election Commissioners strengthens the ECI and ensures its independence and impartiality. The commissioners bring decades of experience in public administration and election management to the commission. Their expertise will be invaluable in preparing for the upcoming General Elections, which are expected to be one of the most challenging in Indian history.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the role of the Election Commissioners? The Election Commissioners assist the CEC in conducting free and fair elections and enforcing the Election Commission's rules and regulations.
2. What are the qualifications for an Election Commissioner? Election Commissioners must be senior IAS officers with at least 15 years of experience. They should have a deep understanding of election management and public administration.
3. What is the tenure of an Election Commissioner? Election Commissioners serve for a period of six years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
4. Who has been the longest-serving Election Commissioner? J.M. Lyngdoh has been the longest-serving Election Commissioner, serving from 1996 to 2001.
5. What is the difference between the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners? The Chief Election Commissioner is the head of the Election Commission and has overall responsibility for the conduct of elections. The Election Commissioners assist the CEC and have equal powers in decision-making.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a significant day for Hindus, particularly in South India. It is a time to fast and pray to Lord Vishnu for forgiveness and a chance to go to heaven. This year, it falls on January 10, 2025, and devotees celebrate by lighting lamps, chanting mantras, and visiting temples for blessings. The holiday is rooted in the belief that observing it dedicatedly can bring good fortune and a peaceful afterlife.
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action by suspending officials and ordering a judicial probe into the incident. Criticizing the lack of responsibility and failure to assess the situation, Naidu's political opponents are also utilizing the incident to attack his government. Amidst the controversy, the temple's reputation for managing large crowds has taken a hit and measures are being suggested to prevent such incidents in the future.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
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The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.