Election Commission

This decision emerged during a significant gathering of the party's Parliamentary Board convened in Patna.

In a preliminary affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court in response to pleas seeking to halt the filling of vacancies in the Election Commission, the Union government highlighted the historical context. It noted that prior to the enactment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Condition of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which spanned 73 years from 1950 to 2023, the executive had the sole authority in appointing Election Commissioners.

Initially, the EC had declared that the votes cast in both assembly polls would be tallied on June 4, coinciding with the counting of Lok Sabha poll votes. However, given that the term of the two assemblies is set to conclude on June 2, the date has been rescheduled accordingly, as announced by the EC.

CEC Rajiv Kumar expressed his warm welcome to Kumar and Sandhu, emphasizing the pivotal moment of their induction as the Election Commission gears up for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The timing of their arrival holds particular importance, given the critical tasks ahead for the commission.

A selection committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened earlier in the day to recommend their names for the vacancies in the Election Commission (EC) left by the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14 and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel on March 8.

Among the recognizable players are industry titans like Lakshmi Mittal of the steel empire, Bharti Airtel led by Sunil Mittal, Anil Agarwal's Vedanta, as well as household names like ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, and DLF. Additionally, notable conglomerates such as PVR, Birlas, Bajajs, Jindals, Spicejet, IndiGo, and the Goenkas are on the list.

In adherence to the Supreme Court's instructions, SBI has submitted the electoral bond data to the Election Commission, as confirmed by sources familiar with the matter. The details of the electoral bonds, amounting to Rs 16,518 crore issued in 30 tranches since the inception of the scheme in 2018, have been handed over to the Election Commission.

The acceptance of Goel's resignation by President Droupadi Murmu, effective immediately, was confirmed through a notification issued by the law ministry. The reason behind his decision to step down remains undisclosed at this time.