New Delhi: Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as the 26th chief election commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday, giving a message to the citizens that the “first step for nation building is voting”. In his first message as CEC, Gyanesh Kumar said that the first step in building a nation is “voting” and urged every eligible citizen to become an elector.
The Union law ministry had on Monday announced the appointment of Gyanesh as the new chief election commissioner. He became the first CEC to be appointed under the new law on appointment of election commissioners.
After assuming charge, in his first message as the CEC, Gyanesh Kumar said that the first step for nation building is “voting”, urging every citizen of the age 18 and above to become an elector and cast their vote. He further affirmed that the Election Commission, in accordance with the Constitution of India, Electoral Laws, Rules and Instructions issued therein, “will always be with the voters”.
As Gyanesh Kumar takes charge, two Bills that would pave the way for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all the Assemblies are pending with Parliament. A Joint Committee of Parliament is examining the Bills introduced last December.
If passed as is, the Bills will allow simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies in 2034 if the five-year cycle of the legislature is not broken by early dissolution. As CEC till 2029, Kumar and his successor will have to lay the groundwork for the mammoth exercise. Lead time for the production of EVMs and VVPATs, plans for their storage and maintenance, and administrative requirements will be on EC’s agenda.
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