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News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
No Longer Oppn's Punching Bag: How Gyanesh Kumar Is Transforming India's Election Commission
Last Updated: Before heading the poll body, the 61-year-old played a key role in implementing decisions following the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K during his five years at the Home Ministry The Election Commission of India is no stranger to accusations of bias from opposition parties. Each Chief Election Commissioner has navigated the criticisms in their own way, with present CEC Gyanesh Kumar being no different. However, what sets Kumar apart from his predecessors is his approach anchored in legal frameworks and propelled through proactive engagement. Kumar—a 1988-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer who holds a degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur and has also completed Environmental Economics from Harvard University—is trying to transform the ECI into a benchmark for transparency, accountability, and dialogue. Among Kumar's modernisation initiatives is the launch of the ECINET dashboard, which integrates several digital services into a unified, accessible platform. The platform allows Presiding Officers to enter voter turnout updates every two hours, reducing delays in polling trend updates—a major complaint ECI faced during the 2024 Lok Sabha. Yet, it is his oversight of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls that most starkly illustrates his method: an overhaul driven by legal rigour to ensure electoral integrity. This is the first such drive the poll body has conducted in over two decades. While SIR sparked controversy over potential disenfranchisement, the ECI countered criticism by releasing daily bulletins. As of 10 days after the August 1 draft roll release, no objections had been filed—a testament to procedural clarity and engagement, as per the ECI. All Stakeholders Involved Kumar has personally engaged with political stakeholders, meeting every national and state party president to foster direct communication and constructive discourse. This is the first time such meetings are taking place across the political spectrum. The poll body took a decentralised approach for institutional accountability. Since February, when Kumar took office, the ECI has conducted 4,719 all-party meetings involving over 28,000 representatives of various political parties. About 40 meetings were by the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), and another 800 at District Election Officer (DEO) levels. At least 3,879 meetings were called by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). Among his unique initiatives was calling the EROs and DEOs, along with CEOs, for a meeting with him. The CEOs are in charge of elections at the state level, DEOs at districts, and EROs at the assembly constituency level. Navigating Political Pressure The Chief Election Commissioner's role demands sharp administrative skills and resilience against political attacks A former senior official from the Election Commission, speaking anonymously to News18, explained this dynamic: 'The party losing the election is most likely to question the role of the ECI and CEC. They won't do that when they will win. So, whosoever heads the position should be aware that everything they do will be questioned." The Bihar SIR exemplifies Kumar's boldness, they said, adding that claims from opposition parties on voter lists in various parts of the country make it all the more important to hold such a drive, not just in one state but everywhere. 'But instead of understanding the need, the ECI was questioned and attacked. The success of these drives will be a victory for democracy," they added. Kumar's Journey Before ECI Before heading the ECI, the 61-year-old held several important and reform-driven positions, including his role as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), overseeing the crucial Jammu & Kashmir Division under Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Kumar played a key role in implementing decisions following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir during his five years at the Home Ministry as Joint Secretary between May 2016 and September 2018 and then as Additional Secretary between September 2018 and April 2021. Until retirement in January 2024, he also served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence; Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation. He was appointed the Election Commissioner in March 2024, just before the Lok Sabha elections, and was promoted to the current post this year. A Different Style Compared to Rajiv Kumar Gyanesh Kumar's proactive, data-driven leadership marks a clear break from his predecessor. Former CEC Rajiv Kumar's style was different as he often chose to respond to criticism not with direct confrontation but through poetic expression, using Shayari to subtly address accusations and connect with the public. Throughout his term, Rajiv Kumar remained largely mute on most of the allegations the poll body faced but occasionally turned 'shayar' during press conferences to reply to political parties and the media. This poetic approach was his way of acknowledging the swirling rumours while cautioning against taking them at face value. During the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Delhi Assembly poll announcement, he used poetry to reply: ' Jhooth ke bazaar mei raunak toh bohot hai, goya bul bule jaisi hi turant hi phat jati hai, pakad bhi loge toh kya hasil hoga sivaye dokhe ke." (In the market of lies, there is much splendour, as if it were a bubble that bursts immediately, and if you try to catch it, what will you gain except deceit.) Countering the allegations, he also said: ' Sab sawaal ki ehmiyat rakhte hain, jawab toh banta hai. Aadatan qalam-band jawab dete rahe, aaj roobaru bhi banta hai. Kya pata kal ho na ho, aaj jawab toh banta hai." (All questions are important; hence, we must answer them. We usually have a habit of replying in writing, but we must respond face-to-face today. We never know if tomorrow will come or not, hence replying to questions today is important.) Long Battle Ahead top videos View all As opposition parties ramp up their allegations, including Congress's intensified 'vote chori' campaign, the Election Commission faces perhaps its greatest test yet. With Bihar elections looming and political tensions rising, Gyanesh Kumar's commitment to transparency and fairness will be under the spotlight like never before—a challenge that could define the future of India's democratic process. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @ More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 12, 2025, 10:49 IST News india No Longer Oppn's Punching Bag: How Gyanesh Kumar Is Transforming India's Election Commission Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Public grievances will be top priority': Gautam Budh Nagar's new DM
A day after formally taking charge as district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, 2014-batch IAS officer Medha Roopam on Thursday said that her top priority would be to strengthen the public grievance redressal system and ensure the effective delivery of welfare schemes across the district. 2014-batch IAS officer Medha Roopam. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Roopam said her administration would work with a focus on transparency, responsiveness, and citizen convenience. 'My first priority will be public grievances, and the aim will be that we are able to redress them by taking them to actual solution in a time-bound manner,' she said. She added that her second priority would be overseeing the Jewar airport project and its associated work, followed by a focus on improved coordination among departments. 'For land acquisition-related matters, I will be holding meetings and looking into all of it,' she said. Roopam, who officially assumed office on Wednesday at the Surajpur collectorate in Greater Noida, succeeds Manish Kumar Verma. With this appointment, she becomes the first woman to serve as DM of Gautam Budh Nagar, one of Uttar Pradesh's most high-profile districts. A familiar face in the region, Roopam served as additional chief executive officer of the Greater Noida Authority from February 2023 to June 2024, where she handled key infrastructure and planning projects. An economics graduate from St Stephen's College, Delhi University, she ranked 10th in the 2014 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. A former national-level rifle shooter, she won three gold medals at the Kerala State Shooting Championship before joining the civil services. Her administrative journey spans several key districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Bareilly, Meerut, Unnao, Lucknow and Barabanki. She began her career as an assistant magistrate in Bareilly, followed by stints as joint magistrate in Meerut and Unnao. A former competitive shooter, she continued to engage with local sports and community events during her tenure in Meerut. She later served as chief development officer in Barabanki, and then as the district magistrate of Hapur and Kasganj. In Hapur, she oversaw targeted healthcare initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and immunisation drives. In Kasganj, she was lauded for wading into flood-affected Gangagarh on a tractor to personally assess and supervise relief efforts. Roopam comes from a family of bureaucrats. Her father, Gyanesh Kumar, a retired Kerala-cadre IAS officer, is currently the chief election commissioner of India. Her husband, Manish Bansal, is the DM of Saharanpur. As Gautam Budh Nagar undergoes rapid urban transformation, Roopam's appointment signals a continued administrative focus on infrastructure, coordination, and citizen-centric governance.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
In late-night reshuffle in NCR, Noida gets its first woman DM
1 2 Noida: UP govt announced a late-night reshuffle on Monday, assigning new district magistrates for Noida and Ghaziabad. Medha Roopam, a 2014-batch IAS officer, became the first woman DM of Noida. Currently the DM of Kasganj, she will replace Manish Verma, who has been transferred to Prayagraj. Medha is no stranger to the district of Gautam Budh Nagar, having served as additional chief executive officer of Greater Noida Authority from Feb 2023 to June 2024, when she handled major infrastructure and planning projects. An economics graduate from St. Stephen's College of Delhi University, Roopam began her career in Bareilly and has since held key administrative positions in Meerut, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki, Hapur, and Kasganj. A national-level rifle shooter, she won three gold medals in the Kerala State Shooting Championship before securing an all-India rank of 10 in the 2014 UPSC exam. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida Her tenure in Hapur saw focused immunisation and Ayushman Bharat campaigns. In Kasganj, she made headlines for driving a tractor through flooded areas of Gangagarh to monitor rescue efforts. Medha is the daughter of retired Kerala-cadre IAS officer and current chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Her husband, Santosh Kumar Singh, is the DM of Saharanpur. The reshuffle also brought changes to Ghaziabad, where Ravindra Kumar Mandar — a 2013-batch IAS officer and former DM of Prayagraj — replaced Deepak Meena, who moved to Gorakhpur. Mandar, who is from Jaipur, is known for his low-profile yet high-impact administration. As DM of Rampur, he launched 'Mission Samarth', enabling surgeries for 61 children with disabilities, and led a large-scale pond restoration project under the Amrit Sarovar scheme. Earlier this year, he oversaw the Kumbh Mela as Prayagraj DM. Both Roopam and Mandar were unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report. Manish Verma, the outgoing Noida DM, took charge in Feb 2023 and steered several initiatives around law and order, infrastructure approvals, and investor outreach. Meena, who served as Ghaziabad DM since Jan, recently managed the high-footfall kanwar yatra, ensuring round-the-clock coordination among police, municipal, and disaster management teams.
