The Election Commission of India (ECI) bid farewell to Shri Rajiv Kumar, who will demit office as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on February 18, 2025. Shri Kumar joined the ECI as Election Commissioner on September 1, 2020, and took over as the 25th CEC on May 15, 2022. Over his 4.5-year tenure, he spearheaded significant reforms across structural, technological, capacity development, communication, international cooperation, and administrative domains. Shri Kumar successfully oversaw one full electoral cycle, including elections in 31 states/UTs, the 2022 Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and Rajya Sabha renewals—an extraordinary feat in electoral management. The elections were conducted smoothly with minimal repolls and no significant violence. 

In his farewell speech, Shri Kumar expressed gratitude to the 15 million polling officials for their dedication to upholding democratic values. He reaffirmed that India’s democratic integrity remains strong despite baseless attacks on its institutions. A proponent of technology, Shri Kumar emphasised the importance of strengthening election processes while safeguarding against cyber threats and misinformation on social media. He commended voters, particularly women, for their enthusiastic participation and highlighted the increasing inclusivity of the electoral process. 

Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu praised Shri Kumar’s transformative and inclusive leadership, which enhanced India’s electoral processes and elevated the country’s standing in global election management. 

Shri Kumar’s tenure was marked by several groundbreaking reforms, including the introduction of four qualifying dates for voter registration, simplifying registration forms, and conducting a delimitation exercise in Assam. He also worked to ensure that polling personnel could vote at Voter Facilitation Centres, thereby preventing intimidation and delays. 

Shri Kumar advocated for technology-driven reforms that improved efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in elections. Under his leadership, ERONET 2.0 enhanced voter roll management and ensured secure, real-time application processing. He also launched initiatives to combat misinformation, including a myth vs. reality register during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

Shri Kumar’s contributions were not only systemic but also deeply human. He led by example, advocating for marginalised groups such as PVTGs and third genders and personally reaching out to over 250,000 centenarian voters. He also encouraged greater youth and urban voter participation by establishing polling stations in high-rise societies. 

A passionate trekker, Shri Kumar explored remote polling stations to understand the challenges faced by polling personnel, inspiring innovations like specially designed EVM carry bags for tough terrains. His leadership was characterised by a unique blend of personal dedication and poetic expression, often using shayari to engage the public and reinforce trust in the electoral process. A lover of classical music and meditation, Shri Kumar leaves behind a legacy that combines global leadership with a deep respect for India’s democratic spirit.  

(PIB)