Who is the Chief Election Commissioner of India? Know Everything About Rajiv Kumar

India, the world's largest democracy, relies heavily on the integrity and efficiency of its Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. At the helm of this critical institution is the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), a position of immense responsibility and authority.

As of now, the Chief Election Commissioner of India is Rajiv Kumar. Here’s everything you need to know about him and his role in ensuring the sanctity of India's democratic process.

Early Life and Education

Rajiv Kumar was born on February 19, 1960, in India. He showed an early inclination towards academics, which eventually led him to pursue a degree in Economics. He holds various academic degrees of B.SC, LL.B, PGDM and MA in Public Policy and Sustainability. His strong educational background laid a solid foundation for his illustrious career in public service.

The Election Commission of India mentions: "Born on 19th February 1960 and acquiring academic degrees of B.SC, LL.B, PGDM and MA in Public Policy and Sustainability, Shri Rajiv Kumar now have with him vast experience of more than 40 years, having worked in various Ministries at the Centre and State across Social Sector, Environment & Forests, Human Resources, Finance and Banking sector."

Professional Career

Rajiv Kumar began his career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1984, joining the Bihar cadre. Throughout his tenure, he occupied several significant positions in both state and central governments. Notably, he played a crucial role in drafting the Scheduled Tribes (Reorganisation of Forests Rights) Bill in 2005. Additionally, under his leadership, Special Central Assistance to States and grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution were allocated for the development of scheduled and tribal areas.

His expertise in public administration and finance led to his appointment as the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, where he played a crucial role in implementing significant banking reforms. Under his leadership, several initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and accountability of public sector banks were introduced.

Appointment as Chief Election Commissioner

Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India on May 15, 2022. His appointment was widely welcomed, given his extensive experience in governance and administration. As CEC, Kumar's primary responsibility is to oversee the conduct of elections at both the central and state levels, ensuring they are free, fair, and transparent.

The Election Commission of India mentions: "Sh. Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioner in ECI since 1st September 2020, took charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner on 15th May 2022. Prior to assuming charge in the Election Commission, Sh. Rajiv Kumar had been Chairman, Public Enterprises Selection Board during April-August 2020; Finance Secretary of India from July 2019 to Feb 2020 ; Secretary, Financial Services from September 2017 to July 2019 and Establishment Officer from March 2015 to June 2017. Sh. Rajiv Kumar, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service of Bihar/Jharkhand cadre 1984 batch, superannuated in February 2020."

Key Contributions and Initiatives

Since taking office, Rajiv Kumar has introduced several initiatives to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the electoral process. Here are some of his key contributions:

• Soon after assuming the role of Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Rajiv Kumar successfully oversaw the 16th Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections in 2022.
• Over the last year and a half, Legislative Assembly Elections were conducted in 11 states, including Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Karnataka, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, involving over 3 lakh polling stations.
• The meticulous planning and exhaustive reviews by the Commission ensured largely violence-free, fair, accessible, and inclusive elections in these states.
• A major focus for CEC Shri Kumar was combating the abuse of money power in elections.
• The ECI's emphasis on "inducement-free" elections led to strict vigilance, extensive monitoring, and coordination with neighboring states and inter-agency cooperation, resulting in seizures amounting to over Rs 3400 crores, almost a tenfold increase from previous elections in these 11 states.
• During his tenure as Election Commissioner, he oversaw State Assembly elections in Bihar (2020), Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal (amidst Covid-19 in March-April 2021), and in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh (early 2022).
• The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar, led the 'Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity' and hosted three international conferences between October 2022 and March 2023.
• Shri Kumar successfully completed the challenging task of delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in Assam, fostering an inclusive, participative, and representative approach through consensus, consultation, and active participation.
• To enhance transparency in political finances, the Commission initiated measures to strengthen compliance, transparency, and accountability in political funding and expenditure.
• The Commission launched a web portal to ensure timely financial disclosures by parties, making voters informed about the financial affairs of the parties.
• ECI delisted 284 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) and declared 253 other RUPPs inactive due to serious financial impropriety.
• Addressing the issue of low voter turnout in urban areas, Shri Kumar has personally made efforts to combat urban and youth apathy in elections, bringing this issue to mainstream discussion.

As Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar faces several challenges, including addressing electoral malpractices, combating misinformation, and managing the logistics of conducting elections in a country as vast and diverse as India. However, his extensive experience and proactive approach make him well-equipped to navigate these challenges.

Rajiv Kumar's tenure as the Chief Election Commissioner of India marks a significant chapter in the country's electoral history. His commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and technological innovation underscores his dedication to ensuring free and fair elections. As India continues to evolve as a democracy, Kumar's efforts will undoubtedly contribute to upholding the integrity and robustness of the electoral process.

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