New Delhi. In a shocking move just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, Election Commissioner Arun Goyal has resigned. The President has accepted his resignation. There was already a vacancy in the Election Commission of India and now only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will be left with the post. According to sources, the dates of Lok Sabha elections are likely to be announced next week. It remains to be seen whether Goyal's resignation will have any impact on its deadline or not.

Arun Goyal's departure took place when three years were left in his tenure. One post for Election Commissioner was already vacant. Earlier, Election Commissioner Anup Pandey had retired in February this year. Goyal took charge as the Election Commissioner (EC) of India on November 21, 2022. A 1985 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Punjab cadre, Goyal retired from service as Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India after more than 37 years of service.

Central Election Committee meeting to be held tomorrow postponed
The reason for Arun Goyal's resignation is not yet known. Even in the Election Commission, no one had any idea or apprehension about the resignation. Commission officers and employees are also shocked by the decision. The Central Election Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. The tenure of the outgoing Election Commissioner Arun Goyal was till 2027. According to sources, no one had any idea that Arun Goyal was going to resign from his post in this manner. At the same time, after three days the Commission has to go on a tour of Jammu and Kashmir and just two days ago the Commission has returned from the tour of West Bengal.

Arun Goyal's career
Born on December 7, 1962 in Patiala, Arun Goyal is M.Sc. in Mathematics. He was awarded the Chancellor's Medal of Excellence for being a first class and record breaker in all the examinations of Punjabi University. He is a Post Graduate with Distinction in Development Economics from Churchill College, University of Cambridge, England and has received training from the John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.