Rajiv Kumar takes charge as 25th Chief Election Commissioner, says EC won’t shy away from tough calls

Rajiv Kumar succeeds Sushil Chandra, who demitted office on evening of May 14

Rajiv Kumar takes charge as the new Chief Election Commissioner, at Election Commission office in New Delhi on May 15, 2022. | Photo Credit: PTI

Former Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar on May 15 assumed charge as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), taking over from outgoing CEC Sushil Chandra who retired on May 14.

After taking office, Mr. Kumar said a lot had been done over the past 70 years by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure free and fair elections.

Rajiv Kumar assumes charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner of India

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— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 15, 2022

“The Commission will follow the time-tested and democratic methods of consultations and consensus building in bringing about any major reforms responsible under the Constitution. ECI will not shy away from tough decisions,” he said.

He added that technology would be used further to simplify processes and bringing about transparency and ease of voter services.

Mr. Kumar, who had been an Election Commissioner since September 1, 2020, would likely oversee the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as his term is until 2025.

A retired IAS officer of the 1984 batch, Mr. Kumar held the post of chairman of the Public Services Enterprises Selection Board before being named as the EC. He had retired from the IAS in February 2020 as the Union Finance Secretary.